Education in Georgia

Education in Georgia is free of charge and compulsory from the age of 6 until 17-18 years. In 1996, the gross primary enrollment rate was 88.2 percent, and the net primary enrollment rate was 87 percent; 48.8 percent are girls and 51.8 percent are boys. Although the Constitution mandates that education is "free," related expenses that include books prevent some children from attending; there are 47,837 children not attending primary school.