Georgian PM: higher education reform vital for Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said higher education reform was “simply vital” for the country and emphasised that his Government remained fully open to dialogue, provided discussions were based on substantive arguments.

Following a televised debate on Imedi TV, Kobakhidze praised the format for allowing the public to hear arguments rather than monologues, while expressing openness to continued discussion with all stakeholders.

“Debates are important, first and foremost, so that the public can receive objective information. Unfortunately, this culture has disappeared in our country. It needs to be re-established. Often we hear monologues - sometimes one side speaks, sometimes the other - and in such conditions it becomes difficult for the public to draw its own conclusions. Truth is born in discussion, when society can observe the exchange between the parties”, he said.

“I think today the public received much more information than it had previously received through monologues from different sides. Today it became clear where the arguments are and where there are no arguments at all. I repeatedly asked the opponents to speak with arguments, and in many cases there was not even a distinction between conclusions and arguments. You cannot simply state a conclusion if you do not have arguments. We tried to speak with arguments, and the public will draw its own conclusions”, he continued.

The Prime Minister described higher education reform as crucial for Georgia’s future.

“As for higher education reform, it is simply vital for our country. There has been one point on which everyone agreed throughout this time - that a young Georgian student in Georgia does not receive the same quality of education as, for example, in a Western European country. This requires radical and fundamental change. If we agree on that, and if we present our path forward, then either an alternative path should be offered, or we should proceed with the path we have proposed. Since we do not hear alternative arguments, it is logical that we follow the path reflected in our concept”, he said.

Kobakhidze further noted that in the absence of alternative proposals supported by arguments, it was logical to advance the reform concept presented by the Government.

“We genuinely sought arguments - we wanted to hear specific arguments regarding particular issues. While these issues were local in nature, once we heard arguments on specific topics, we immediately promised our opponents and debate participants that we were ready to obtain additional information on each matter and take it into account if necessary. We are fully open to continuing discussions on all topics”, he noted.

“The unfortunate reality was that we presented a draft concept - which was not even a finalised concept - and invited everyone to present their opinions. Instead, a political campaign began against the concept without any arguments”, Kobakhidze continued.

He reiterated his Government’s readiness to engage with the academic community, university leadership, experts, and other stakeholders.

“If there is healthy discussion, we are ready and fully open to dialogue with absolutely everyone. This is our approach and attitude. Whether meetings are held with the academic community, rectors, university leadership, experts, or in any other format, we are ready for discussion. The main thing is that the discussion must be based on arguments”, the Prime Minister concluded.