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Georgia implemented a nationwide, full scale school voucher program in 2005. The new voucher plan was designed with the intent to provide equitable distribution and efficient utilization of financial and human resources. By introducing the voucher scheme, the government hoped to promote competition among public as well as private schools to push them operate in a cost-effective way and consequently improve education quality. This study tries to identify the effect of increased competition on the quality of education as perceived by school principals and teachers in Georgia. More specifically, we study to identify if the voucher model, as a result of increased competition, has created an environment that is supportive to students in improving their academic performance. Our results suggest that school principals and teachers do not view competition as a force or stimulation towards better quality teaching and improved students' academic achievement.

The research highlighted the correlation of the intercultural competencies of middle school students in Georgia with their civic activities and levels of integration, as well as the factors contributing to the development of relevant competencies of students at the formal educational level. In particular, interactive learning contributes to the development of intercultural competencies in students and the integration of different cultural groups, their involvement in the decisionmaking process, in taking initiatives, and so on. This experience gained in the learning process helps the student to develop the skills needed for an active citizen. The analysis of the research results also revealed: (a) knowledge of different cultures by students and recognition of diversity are in a positive correlation with their willingness to engage, appreciate and take into account different opinions when making decisions; (b) the advantage of the experience gained through informal communication compared with the formal one over the development of students' ABOUT THE AUTHOR The research was held at Ilia State University within the framework of the project Democratic Citizenship in Schools of Georgia: Challenges and Avenues for Development (#FR-18-1887) funded by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia. The project is implemented by professors of School of Education at Ilia State University: David Malazonia (Study Director) and researchers Sofiko Lobzhanidze, Shorena Maglakelidze, Nino Chiabrishvili and Zakaria Giunashvili. The Project has been aimed at examining school students' competencies in democratic citizenship, developing different pedagogical approaches encouraging and supporting development of these competencies. Researchers have valuable experience in intercultural and civic/citizenship education and instructional strategies. They have actively participated in different projects at national and international levels, such as Intercultural Education: Problems and Development Perspectives in Georgia; Development of International Model for Curriculum Reform Supporting Multicultural and Citizenship Education, etc. They also actively participate in national and international conferences, forums and trainings devoted to intercultural and citizenship education.