**Georgian Government Funds Patriarchate’s Educational Institutions**
The Georgian Dream government has given a lot of money to the educational institutions run by the Georgian Orthodox Church. This is a big deal, and it was announced on March 14.
**$15.5 Million for 53 Schools**
The government ordered the Ministry of Education to give GEL 43 million (about $15.5 million) to these schools. The money will be used for their financial support. The government also listed all 53 educational institutions that will receive this funding.
**More Money for a Specific School**
In addition, the government gave a small amount of money – only GEL 12,500 (about $4,500) – to the Tbilisi Theological Academy. This is a school that teaches priests and other church leaders.
**History of Funding**
This is not the first time the government has given money to the Georgian Patriarchate’s educational institutions. Last year, the Prime Minister said that the government would give GEL 35 million (about $11.2 million) in the state budget to support these schools. The government also gave an extra GEL 2 million (about $743,600) to the St. Andrew’s Georgian University last August.
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