youth are priority objectives for Georgia and the State Strategy for Civic Equality and Integration and Action Plan for 2015 - 2020 envisages a number of measures to fulfil these objectives.3 Since 2010, representatives of the ethnic minorities have an opportunity to receive higher education according to the preferential policy, also referred “Program 1+4” which includes an exam in general skills in Abkhazian, Ossetian, Armenian and Azeri languages, have made a significant contribution to improving access to higher education for minorities, as the number of such students has increased significantly and reached more than sixty hundred. Respectively, the policy will be continued.4 Despite significant efforts and investments, the quality of education remains a challenge in the rural areas, including non-Georgian language schools, which are in need of improving the quality of textbooks and further professional enhancing of teacher’s qualifications.5 It is essential to ensure that teachers and students know the official state language, but it is also equally important to preserve native languages. To go further toward an inclusive and diverse society, we need textbooks that adequately reflect the diversity of Georgia. 6 In conclusion, I would like to once again stress my Government’s commitment to ensure the highquality education at all levels for every citizen of the diverse society of Georgia. We are mindful that it is a complex task and stand ready to move forward. Thank you for your attention. “State Strategy of Georgia for Civic Equality and Integration and Action Plan for 2015-2020”, Improving access to quality education and increasing state language knowledge, August 2015, (http://smr.gov.ge/Uploads/esen_55b90432.pdf) 3 4 “State Strategy of Georgia for Civic Equality and Integration and Action Plan for 2015-2020”, Increasing access to higher education August 2015, (http://smr.gov.ge/Uploads/esen_55b90432.pdf 5 “State Strategy of Georgia for Civic Equality and Integration and Action Plan for 2015-2020”, Improving access to quality education and increasing state language knowledge, August 2015, (http://smr.gov.ge/Uploads/esen_55b90432.pdf) 6 “State Strategy of Georgia for Civic Equality and Integration and Action Plan for 2015-2020”, Increasing access to basic quality education both in state and native languages, August 2015, (http://smr.gov.ge/Uploads/esen_55b90432.pdf