Open AccessACCESS AND BARRIERS TO EDUCATION: ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS OF ETHNIC MINORITIES LIVING IN GEORGIA
Author(s) -
Anastasia Kitiashvili,
Tamar Abashidze,
Irine Zhvania
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
problems of education in the 21st century
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2538-7111
pISSN - 1822-7864
DOI - 10.33225/pec/16.72.53
Subject(s) - ethnic group , perception , political science , gender studies , sociology , psychology , anthropology , neuroscience
The aim of this research is to analyse the attitudes and perceptions by Georgian Azeri and Armenian ethnic minorities about the accessibility and barriers to acquire an education. The research includes three types of education: general, vocational education and training (VET), and higher education. The survey was carried out with 800 participants of both ethnic minorities in two regions of Georgia, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli . In-depth interviews were carried out with four experts working in the field of education for ethnic minorities. Respondents believe that they have more equal access to general education and VET while local Georgians have better access to higher education than ethnic minorities do. Attitudes of Ethnic Minorities correspond to their limited participation in Higher Education. The respondents identified poor knowledge of Georgian language (state language of Georgia) as the most significant barrier that excludes them from educational opportunities. This research provides evidence and a basis for formulating education policies for the Azeri and Armenian ethnic minorities living in Georgia.Key words: access to education, barriers to education, ethnic minorities.