Financing for equity in pre-primary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
The official entrance age to pre-primary education is two. Two years of free pre-primary education are granted in legal frameworks. Compulsory pre-primary education is not granted in legal frameworks. The net enrolment rate for pre-primary education for both sexes was 40.08 in 2007, the most recent year for which UIS data are available.
Governance
Responsibilities for pre-primary education in Georgia are shared between the central and local levels. Local municipalities are the primary financiers and managers of public early and preschool institutions, allocating and overseeing their operating budgets through municipal assemblies as defined in the 2016 Law of Georgia on Early and Preschool Education. The Ministry of Education, Science and Youth sets national policy and standards and provides targeted investments.
Tuition-free status
Two years of free pre-primary education are granted in legal frameworks.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Public funding for pre-primary education in Georgia is regulated by the 2016 Law of Georgia on Early and Preschool Education and is based on a decentralized financing model that combines public and private contributions. Municipalities play the primary role in funding and managing public pre-primary education, with financial rules and mechanisms defined by local assemblies (Sakrebulos). In major cities, specialized bodies such as the Tbilisi Kindergarten Management Agency are responsible for allocating budgets, maintaining infrastructure, and ensuring service quality. Public funds mainly cover core operational costs, including staff salaries, utilities, meals, and facility maintenance.
2. Education resources to institutions
As noted in the previous section of this profile, municipalities play the primary role in funding and managing public pre-primary education. The central government provides targeted investments, while international partners such as UNICEF and the World Bank support the system through additional funding and technical assistance, particularly in rural areas and for quality improvement initiatives.
3. Education resources to students and families
The 2016 Law of Georgia on Early and Preschool Education establishes the right to free pre-primary education and catering services for students in public institutions. Equity is addressed mainly through this universal tuition-free provision for all children attending municipal pre-primary programmes and through municipal obligations to finance inclusive services and additional support for children with special educational needs.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduced in 2015, the Child Protection Benefit (CPB) is administered by the Ministry of Labour, Health, and Social Affairs as part of the broader Targeted Social Assistance (TSA) programme. Its purpose is to reduce child poverty by providing financial support to families with children under 16. Eligibility is determined through a points-based system assessing socio-economic status, with families below a defined threshold receiving monthly payments. The programme is supported by partners such as UNICEF, which assist in refining the assessment process and expanding coverage to reach more vulnerable children.
