UNICEF and Estonian Government joined forces to enhance early childhood bilingual education in Georgia

Tbilisi, Georgia, 12 June, 2025 – UNICEF Georgia, in collaboration with the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), supported the improvement of the quality and accessibility of early childhood bilingual education in Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions of Georgia.  

Ambassador of Estonia to Georgia, H.E. Marge Mardisalu-Kahar and UNICEF Representative in Georgia, Jesper Moller visited the kindergarten in Tskhaltbila, Akhaltsike to understand how kindergarten teachers integrated bilingual education into their daily practices. The discussion with teachers provided valuable insights into the practical application of bilingual education methods and highlighted the impact of the project on enhancing educational quality. The Ambassador and UNICEF Representative handed over educational resources to the kindergarten. The similar education resources were provided to other kindergartens in Marneuli, Akhalkalaki, and Nimotsminda.

The Key achievements of the partnership initiative included:

• Conducting a comprehensive analysis of the bilingual education system, including legislation, programmes, standards, and professional development landscape. This included a mapping of institutions responsible for early bilingual education. Based on the study findings, recommendations were developed to improve accessibility and quality.
• Training 20 bilingual teachers in 10 kindergartens in the municipalities of Marneuli, Akhalkalaki, Akhaltsikhe and Nimotsminda, benefiting 300 preschool children.
• Supporting 200 professionals from central and local government, academia, and preschools to understand bilingual education concept, approaches and methodologies.
• Organizing the study tour of kindergarten managers and heads of Municipal Kindergarten Unions to Estonia.

In addition, knowledge exchange webinars, seminars and trainings were organized for university lecturers, caregiver-teachers, local government representatives, and other stakeholders, to share best practices and innovative approaches in bilingual education.

In collaboration with the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, UNICEF and ESTDEV, supported the integration of early bilingual educational approaches into a Subject Benchmark document for early and preschool education in higher education institutions.    

This officially approved document assists universities in developing or adjusting their Bachelor of Arts (BA) programmes in early education, ensuring they meet the minimum requirements for BA-level early childhood education and care.  

Quality bilingual education, especially in preschools, is crucial for fostering cognitive development, cultural awareness, and social integration for young children. Bilingual education serves as a bridge for ethnic minority children between their native language and the state language, promoting better communication and reducing educational disparities. It also fosters an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates cultural diversity, helping children develop a sense of identity and belonging. Ultimately, quality bilingual education lays a strong foundation for lifelong learning and participation in a multicultural society.

More than 70 kindergartens in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli and Kakheti provide early and preschool education in Armenian or Azerbaijani languages. Since 2021, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth (MESY) of Georgia has been implementing a bilingual education programme, which at the moment covers 56 kindergartens. Strengthening the proficiency of ethnic minority children in Georgian language for a smooth transition to further levels of education as well as capacitating educators and stakeholders with modern knowledge, methodologies and skills is crucial for social integration and educational opportunities of ethnic minority children.