Voices of Struggle: The Intersection of Student Protests and Housing Challenges in Georgia

• In Event: The Intersection of Social Movements and Education Beyond Borders: A Comparative International Education Perspective

Proposal

Over the past two decades, the N1 higher education institution, Tbilisi State University, in Georgia, South Caucasus Region, has been a prominent arena where students have expressed their grievances through protests, revolving around issues of political autonomy within the institution and concerns related to academic policies. The university's campus has witnessed numerous demonstrations, each time echoing the resounding calls for greater independence and academic reforms. However, the most recent series of protests, in May 2022 has brought about a significant shift, as these demonstrations now encompass a broader spectrum of concerns that extend beyond the traditional academic realm. The impact of the ongoing pandemic and the increasingly challenging economic climate has sparked a new social element, housing policy, in the protests, resonating with the students' frustrations and anxieties about prevailing hardships.

In April 2022, student protests erupted at Tbilisi State University in response to the university's decision to shift back to in-class teaching after a prolonged two-year period of Covid-related distance learning. The "Fight for Education" movement organized rallies that gained momentum in May, drawing hundreds of participants as protests became a daily occurrence. Their primary demand to the university administration was the implementation of a hybrid-teaching format, enabling students from remote regions to continue their studies through distance learning. This call for flexibility was prompted by the severe housing crisis that struck the Georgian capital, leaving thousands of students without accommodation in Tbilisi.

A significant factor exacerbating the housing crisis was the arrival of tens of thousands of Russians seeking refuge in Tbilisi since Russia started full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This influx, combined with a wave of Ukrainian refugees, injected a new dynamic into the housing market, driving competition and increasing rent prices in both central and peripheral areas of the city. Property owners, seizing the opportunity, evicted former tenants to make way for wealthier newcomers.

The unfortunate convergence of the decision to resume in-class teaching at state universities and the influx of migrants and refugees further strained the challenging housing situation. For financially vulnerable students, this posed an impossible burden, leading to evictions and exclusion from educational pursuits. The housing market's shortcomings exposed the precarious position of these students, who found themselves caught in the crossfire of rising rents and housing scarcity, leaving them behind in their pursuit of education.

Considering the complexity of the issue, demands for change have evolved to include not only institutional issues but also collective call for measures to address the issue. Therefore, the first part of the discussion investigates the severe housing crisis in Tbilisi that emerged as critical issue during the protests. Subsequently, the second part will critically analyze the existing state housing policies that specifically pertain to students. Moving forward, the third section explores the crucial connection between affordable housing and educational equity, particularly in the context of Georgia's state policies aimed at enhancing accessibility to higher education for students from regions. It examines how lack of affordable housing options might hinder educational opportunities and perpetuate inequities for students.

Author

• Sopiko Beriashvili, The Brookings Institution