The Minister of Education, Science and Youth, Givi Mikanadze, has announced that first to sixth grade students will wear school uniforms from this year, with one additional grade to be included each year.
Speaking on the First Channel program, Mikanadze said the aim is to familiarise children with school uniform culture.
“We want to gradually introduce uniforms, because it’s still a novelty for children and we want to get them used to the culture called uniform culture. Therefore, if we introduce uniforms from the first to the sixth grade this year, one grade will be added every year. The sixth grader who will wear the uniform this year will move to the seventh grade next year, and we will add the seventh grade as well,” he said.
Mikanadze stated that uniforms will be introduced in three stages. On September 15, first graders will begin school in a new Georgian uniform featuring the state coat of arms on the left side. During the first semester, all students from first to sixth grade will be provided with uniforms, with distribution points to be opened across the country.
He added that parents will receive detailed information on sales points in both regions and cities.
The minister also spoke about the fabric composition of the uniforms, saying they meet international standards and addressing what he called misinformation about polyester use.
“The uniform will be of high quality. A lot of wrong information was spread about the fabric, especially the attention was focused on polyester. In international practice, polyester is actively used, however, in addition to polyester, there are appropriate concentrations mixed with various natural materials, which fully correspond to the international standard, give flexibility to the uniform and reduce its wear and tear. All uniforms – whether it is a jacket, pants or skirt – have an anti-allergic lining,” he said.
Mikanadze said prototype samples have already been tested according to international standards and will undergo further quality checks in Georgia.
He added that the final price for jackets, trousers, and skirts will be announced in the coming days, noting it will be significantly lower than private school uniforms.
The minister also said that, following a decision by the Prime Minister, families with a Health Ministry rating of 65,000 or below and a primary school student will receive uniforms free of charge.
“Our goal was and is to carry out this activity together with Georgian companies, but when the market research and the tender provide for the possibility of free participation, the company identified as a result of the first market research, unfortunately, could not fully present the necessary documentation for signing the contract. Due to the legislation, the mentioned market research could not be completed,” he said.
Mikanadze said the contracted company is a leading school uniform manufacturer in China, adding that its head has already visited Georgia and provided guarantees on quality and delivery deadlines.
