Validation of non-formal and informal learning – Georgia

Despite the fact that the term ‘validation of non-formal and informal learning’ (VNFIL) is not used in the Georgian education system, systems for validating learning outcomes acquired in informal and non-formal settings are in place in general and vocational education, and partially in higher education. On average, 10 000 individuals sat the validation exams in general education each year between 2016 and 2019 (the figure has now dropped to 1 500 annually), while the processes have not benefited anyone in vocational education so far.

The concept of validating non-formal and informal learning is best established in vocational education, where the distinction between formal and non-formal learning was introduced under the Law of Vocational Education (VE) of 2007 and maintained in the Law of VE of 2018. These laws also provide for the possibility to recognise and validate learning outcomes acquired beyond the formal education system. The term ‘non-formal education’ is used in the Georgian vocational education system to apply to both non-formal and informal learning2 . The latter, though distinguished in different government documents, has never been formalised in legislation. ‘Recognition of non-formal education’ is the term established since then to mean exactly the system of VNFIL in vocational education and, therefore, throughout the report, ‘recognition of non-formal education’ (RNFE) will be used to denote VNFIL in vocational education.