Georgia welcomes 45,000 first-graders as new school year begins

Georgia’s new school year began today, with 45,000 first-graders starting school across the country, Education, Science and Youth Minister Givi Mikanadze said.

Mikanadze marked the start of the 2026-27 academic year at Tbilisi’s First Experimental Public School, where he was accompanied by his family and his own child, who is starting first grade.

The minister said ensuring access to quality education for every student remained the ministry’s main priority, pointing to a number of initiatives implemented for the new academic year.

Mikanadze also thanked teachers, school principals and administrative staff for their work, saying the contribution of everyone involved in school life was invaluable.

The 2026-27 school year also introduces changes to first-grade enrolment rules. Under the new system, children turning six by September 15 are eligible to start first grade, although a one-time exception was introduced allowing parents to enrol children who turn six between September 16 and December 31, 2026