THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN LITHUANIA

2nd meeting of Comenius project “ILS”

2012 POLAND

LEGAL BACKGROUND

1991, Law on Education of the Republic of Lithuania Education is a priority area of activities supported by the state. On 25 June 1991, the Seimas (Parliament) passed the Law on Education of the Republic of Lithuania, which established the structure of the Lithuanian educational system and the basis for the governance and activities of educational institutions (with the exception of higher schools).

2003, NEW WERSION OF THE LAW ON EDUCATION

The new version of the Law on Education passed in 2003 establishes the goals of education in Lithuania, the principles of its educational system, the basic foundations for the framework of educational institutions, their activities and relationships and also obligations of the State in the area of education.

2003, NATIONAL EDUCATION STRATEGY 2003-2012. In 2003, the Provisions of the National

Education Strategy 2003-2012 were adopted. The Provisions complement the Long-term Development Strategy of the State and define the goals for further development of the Lithuanian educational system and the means for attaining them.

AT PRESENT, Education is regulated by the Laws on

Education, Science and Studies, Vocational Training, Special Education, Adult Non-formal Education and subsequent legislation. The activity of local educational establishments is governed by the Laws on Local Self-Government.

REGULATIVE BODIES Education is the responsibility of the Ministry

of Education and Science(responsible for the development and implementation of education policies, and defines the criteria for the allocation of financial resources).

Responsibilities with regard to the administration and organisation of the education system are assumed by central government, the local education authorities and the administrative bodies of the establishments involved.

FINANCING Education is financed in the form of

allocations from the State budget and municipal budgets as well as other financial means. Programmes of formal education offered at State-funded, municipal and non-State funded schools are financed out of the State and municipal budgets via the student’s basket, which is a principle of allocating financial means per learner.

FINANCING The student’s basket contains funds to

pay salaries to teachers, buy textbooks, teaching means, in-service training teachers, etc.

The founders of the school (municipalities, confessional organisations,etc.) allocate funds for school maintenance.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Educational principles:1.Equal opportunities; 2.Contextual interdependence;3.Effectivness;4.Continuity.

GENERAL INFORMATION Educational institutions: state,

municipality, private. Education is free of charge (except for

private educational establishments and universities).

Education is compulsary from 7 to 16. The official language of

institution –Lithuanian.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Today 1415 general educational schools in Lithuania.

School year 2010- 418 500 students, 39 842 teachers,

97 vocational education

schools, 22 universities, 23 colleges.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES 1st September- the beginning of a

school year; May- the end of a school year for 1st-

5th forms, June/July- the end of a school year for 11th-12th forms;

2 or 3 semesters a year; 45 minutes – 1 lesson; 30/35 minutes-

1 lesson (pre-primary -1st form); 22-31 lessons per week( 5 schooldays

per week); 24-30 students in a class.

STRUCTURE OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN LITHUANIA

Formal education : - pre-school (6-7); - primary(7-11) ; -basic(11-16); - secondary(16-18/19); - vocational education and

training(14-21); -training and higher

education(18/19-26).

STRUCTURE OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN LITHUANIA

Non-formal education: -pre-primary education(1-6); -non-formal

education of children; -non-formal

education of adults.

PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION Pre-school education is provided to

children from 1 year to 6 years old. It is not compulsory. The purpose is to help a child satisfy

inheret cultural (including ethnic), social and cognitive needs.

The pre-school education curriculum is implemented by nurseries, nursery –kindergartens, kindergartens, kindergarten-schools and other schools, licensed freelance teachers or other education providers.

PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION It is not compulsory, however it is

made available by the State to all children as of 6 years old.

The purpose is to help a child to prepare for successful learning according to the primary education curriculum.

PRIMARY EDUCATION

A four-year cucciculum(from 1st -4th).Provided to children between 7 and

11 years of age.The purpose of primary education is

to provide an individual with the basics of moral, cultural and social maturity and elementary literacy.

Primary school children are not given grades.

PRIMARY EDUCATION CURRICULUM Moral education Lithuanian language Foreign language compulsory from the 2nd

year (in 2006 a ministerial order approved An Implementation Programme of Compulsory Early Language Teaching)

Perception and understanding of the world Mathematics Arts and technologies Music Physical training.

BASIC EDUCATION Provided to children between 11 and 16 years of age. The duration of curricilum-6 years(from

5th-10th). The purpose is to provide an individual

with the basics of moral, socio-cultural and civic maturity, general literacy and the basics of technological literacy, to foster the intent to continue learning.

BASIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM(ALL SUBJECTS ARE COMPULSORY)

Moral education( religion or ethics) The Lithuanian language, native language(for

national minorities) Mathematics Natural sciences(Nature and man(forms 5-6),

biology and physics(form 7), chemistry (form8) Computer science History, civic education, geography Arts, music, technologies Physical training.

YOUTH SCHOOLSAre meant for 12-16 year old

adolescents that have not managed to adapt to studying at schools of general education, lack motivation or have no other choice because of the social situation that they face.

Youth schools provide basic education and prie-vocational training.

SECONDARY EDUCATION (NON-COMPULSORY) Provided to children between 16 and 19

years of age. Secondary education is offered by

gymnasiums, secondary, vocational and other schools.

It is offered to learners that have attained the basic education level.

It is a two-year curriculum with focus on profiling and differentation of the content of education. Profiles offered are humanitarian, real, technological and artistic.

SECONDARY EDUCATION (NON-COMPULSORY)

In the course of two years of secondary education students learn from 9 to 13 subjects.

They may choose to learn compulsory subjects either level B(involves only basic knowledge of the subject) or level A(is oriented towards deeper and wider knowledge of the subject).

SCHOOL-LEAVING EXAMINATIONS Individuals that have completed the

secondary education curriculum take matura examinations.

Matura examinations may be of two types, i.e. school level or national-level.

To get school leaving certificate 3 obligatory examinations should be taken(the Lithuanian language (mother tongue or State language) is compulsory, while the others are elective.

SCHOOL-LEAVING EXAMINATIONS School-level examination material is based

on the general curriculum covering a particular subject.

The results are assessed at schools by following centrally-drafted assessment guidelines.

SCHOOL-LEAVING EXAMINATIONS

Material is based on the general curriculum covering a particular subject.

The results are assessed at schools by following centrally-drafted assessment guidelines.

Material is based on the expanded curriculum covering a particular subject.

The examination papers are coded and assessed at assessment centres.

The assessment process and the drafting of examination material is organized by the National Examination Centre.

School-level examination National-level examination

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING Provided to students who have basic

education (starting from the age of 14 (8th form) or 16(10th form);

Curriculum is implemented by vocational schools;

Upon completion of studies a student gets primary qualification and/or completes secondary education.

Areas of study: art, business and adminis-tration, computer science, manufacturing professions, agriculture, forestry, health care, social services and etc.

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDIES Available to people who are at least 18 years old and have completed secondary

education; The higher education curricula are implemented

by the higher education schools, i.e. universities and colleges;

College – study programmes are focused on practice;

University- study programmes prevail: Bachelor of Arts(BA)-3-5 years; Master of Arts(MA)-1,5-2 years; Philosophy Doctor(PhD)-up to 4 years.

PROGRAMMES FOR MODERNIZATION OF EDUCATION

Education Improvement Project (2002-2005): improvement of teaching and learning conditions at basic school; creating of the system of quality management of education; energy efficiency; optimization of school nerwork.

“Yellow Bus” programme( the Ministry of Education and Science is buying school buses to transport children with special needs and those who live far away from the school).

E-school programme “Education for Information Society”

( helps to provide schools with computers and IT, internet, computer teaching aids.

Material used for slides

Education in Lithuania (prepared by Education supply centre of Ministry of education and science of The Republic of Lithuania)

The Education System in Lithuania (Liutauras Ivoška)