Challenges Faced by Ethnic Minority Children In The Educational Process in Georgia 

Abstract

This article examines the challenges faced by ethnic minority students in Georgia within the general education system, focusing on the regions of Imereti, Adjara, Kakheti, and Samtskhe-Javakheti. The study investigates the extent to which high-quality education is accessible to non-Georgian-speaking students attending Georgian-language schools. Despite national and international legal frameworks that affirm the right to education for all, including in one's native language, ethnic minority students frequently encounter systemic barriers. These include insufficient Georgian language instruction, lack of adapted teaching materials, poorly translated textbooks, and inadequate training of educators.

Findings indicate that language remains a major obstacle to academic achievement, particularly for students whose families have limited proficiency in Georgian. Many students rely on private tutors or additional classes, underscoring the education system's failure to provide sufficient language support. Furthermore, dropout rates are disproportionately high among minority students due to socioeconomic hardship, early marriage, and limited transport to schools. Teachers report difficulties in adapting curricula to meet the needs of non-Georgian-speaking students, while parents remain largely uninvolved due to a lack of information or resources.

Although some positive examples of integration and peer support were identified, the study concludes that state educational reforms largely overlook non-Georgian sectors within Georgian-language schools. The current "New School" model, which fails to account for ethnolinguistic diversity, further marginalizes these students. The paper recommends the development of inclusive educational policies, reform of language instruction materials, and the establishment of support systems such as student-parent clubs and municipal assistance offices dedicated to ethnic minority students. Addressing these systemic inequities is essential for ensuring equal access to education and fostering social cohesion in Georgia's multiethnic society.