Expert warns Georgia’s education ‘reform’ is political control plan

Zaza Bibilashvili, founder of the Chavchavadze Center, has criticized the Georgian government’s proposed education reforms, saying they were designed to impose political control over universities rather than improve education.

Bibilashvili told reporters on Friday that freethinkers and independent academics could be expelled, while compliant staff would be rewarded with higher salaries, framing the reforms as a tool for the political establishment to dominate the education system.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, however, defended the plans, highlighting increased salaries for full-time professors and the creation of a structured academic core, but critics warn that the changes threaten academic freedom.