The FINANCIAL — According to Vocational Education and Training research in the South Caucasus, there are only 38 Vocational Education Institutes in Georgia whereas before 2007 there were 106. As for students, in Vocational Education Centres their number consisted of 6,117, while before 2007 there were 18,242 students.
Eurasia Partnership Foundation in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) presented analytical research on Vocational Education and Training in the South Caucasus on March 24.
The policy analysis was conducted by experts of the Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association (dvv International). The research was funded by a grant from Eurasia Foundation, awarded on a competitive basis within the framework of support of the research of Vocational Educational Policy and European Neighbourhood Policy.
The purpose of this research was to conduct a comparative analysis and describe the existing situation in the fields of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in South Caucasus countries as well as to propose VET policy options.
“The research is helping the government to execute undertaken engagements in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The cost of research on Vocational Education was around USD 10,000,” Vano Chkhikvadze, coordinator of International Programs of Eurasia Foundation told The FINANCIAL.
According to the authors of the research, both this research and results of previous studies in this field, as well as official data about the labour market show an unprecedented demand for vocational education and need to urgently develop VET systems to supply a highly qualified workforce with secondary vocational education.
“In the last decade of the 20th century vocational education systems in the South Caucasus went through a devastating crisis that actually left the VET agenda with only one priority – survival,” is said in the research.
“Development of educational infrastructure, including vocational education, is a priority problem that can be addressed through the development of effective educational policies,” authors of the research said.
According to the research, the number of school leavers was 38,000 in 2007. 15,444 entered universities and only 3,441 entered Higher Vocational Institutions. 19,115 or 50% of school leavers were from institutions.
“Accessibility of education is one of the main targets of the education reform. The reformed system should ensure a sufficient number of positions in educational institutions and curricula able to meet the educational needs of 50% of school-leavers,” said Lika Ghlonti, expert of dvv International.
According to Ghlonti, in the past years, the VET sector in Georgia was funded by the state. The VET budget made up 2.5-3% of the educational budget, which was sufficient only to pay the salaries of teachers and administrative staff.
“At present, the VET budget is only 1% (GEL 3.9 million) of the education budget. The amount is insignificant compared to Azerbaijan, where the VET budget is 5% of the education budget. However, according to the Basic Data and Directions Document (BDD) at least 20% of education spending will be channelled to the VET sector in 2009,” is said in the research.
According to the research, distribution of the educational budget in 2006 looked as follows: VET – 1%, rehabilitation of schools – 23%, (including 1.59% for Vocational educational Institutions), general education – 53%, higher education – 9%, other programs – 12%, and ministry staff – 1%.
“Nowadays the qualification of teachers does not always meet the new demand. Low salaries have forced teachers to find additional sources of income and quite often they have to teach in several institutions simultaneously,” Ghlonti said.
“The number of students in public educational institutions in 2007 was 18,242 and in private educational institutions – 10,578. The number of teachers in Public Educational Institutions in 2007 were 3,158 and in Private Educational Institutions – 1,646. The student- teacher ratio in Public Educational Institutions is 5,7 and in Private Educational Institutions 6,4,” according to research.
“The law of Georgia on Vocational Education defines criteria for the training of teaching staff and instructors. Moreover, the educational program for the retraining of teachers should undergo mandatory accreditation. The given sphere is of critical importance for the improvement of approaches towards the vocational education system and expected outcomes,” Ghlonti said.
“Education in Georgia is moving on the road from mere survival to efficient functioning of national systems. This analysis of policy in the area of VET in South Caucasus countries is designed for national policy makers in this field, persons influencing formation of policies, as well as other specialists and researchers in VET,” authors said.
According to the authors, this research can be of interest to a wide range of civil, donor and international organizations, as well as specialists and private persons related to VET.
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