Higher education expert Lika Glonti believes the abolition of state grants limits students’ educational choices and increases the risk of social inequality. She said high-achieving students who want to study at specific private universities can no longer use state funding, making their choices increasingly dependent on their families’ financial capacity.
According to Glonti, the change could affect not only students but also private universities and the broader quality assurance system. She questioned whether private universities that receive no state funding should be subject to exactly the same requirements and procedures as public institutions, saying the system may require significant review.
Glonti also criticized the closure of some programs at regional universities. She said students from the regions who need to move to another city face additional housing, transportation and living costs, meaning that tuition-free education does not necessarily translate into accessible education.
She warned that weakening regional universities could have long-term consequences for regional development. Universities in cities such as Telavi, Gori, Akhaltsikhe and Zugdidi have served as important academic and cultural centers, she said, adding that reducing or closing programs undermines years of investment and development efforts in the regions.
