New Education laws introduced to Parliament: Students will pay a fee to transfer between institutions of higher learning

The legal entity of public law (LEPL) of the Ministry of Education and Science –the former National Curriculum Center—has been abolished and amendments have been introduced to a new Law "On General Education”. The draft law was introduced to the members of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Culture by the Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Irine Kurdadze. According to her, the former NCC functions have been transferred to the Ministry and to the National Center of Education Quality Development. Other changes in the Ministry structure include an Agency of Education and Science Infrastructure Development, with costs for services.

During the committee meeting the Deputy Minister also submitted a draft amendment to the present law "On Higher Education” which will oblige students to pay a fee to transfer to other institutions of higher learning. The Deputy Chairperson of the Committee, Khatuna Ochiauri, expressed interest in the amount of such fees and whether there would be exemptions for socially vulnerable students. The Deputy Minister stated that the proposed amendment only assigns the norm, and that discussions on fees and other details will be held when the draft law is accepted.

Irine Kurdadze introduced another draft amendment the law "On the Development of Education Quality”, which will provide monitoring for implementing accreditation; it would also grant the authority to the LEPL's National Center of Education Quality Development to issue professional education Diplomas. Ochiauri said the Committee approves these changes to ensure monitoring is carried out in full compliance with the law.

The Committee also heard readings of other draft laws and amendments that included "On Special Vocational Education”, "On Vocational Education” and "On Refugees and Humanitarian Status”, all of which were submitted by the Government’s Parliamentary Deputy Secretary. MP Zviad Kukava also submitted a draft amendment to the law on amnesty. The plenary sitting of the Parliament will later discuss the issues that have been reviewed by the Committee.