Georgia’s higher education reform raises serious concerns due to insufficient evidence supporting its rationale, limited stakeholder involvement, its rapid and centralised implementation, and potential risks to fundamental values, according to the European Commission’s 2026 Enlargement Report on Georgia.
The report particularly highlights concerns over equal access to quality education, respect for institutional autonomy and the protection of academic freedom. It also states that Georgia has a moderate level of preparation in education and culture, with no progress recorded during the reporting period.
The report comes amid major changes to Georgia’s higher education system introduced this year, including a revised university funding model, the abolition of grant-based funding and the introduction of free tuition at state universities.
The reform has also introduced a “one city, one faculty” model, while reducing the number of academic programmes and available student places at public universities.
