Lithuanian parliament rejects legal regulation for sign language in schools

Lithuanian lawmakers have voted against a proposal to formally regulate sign language in schools through legislation. The initiative, put forth by MP Ligita Girskienė, sought to recognize sign language as a selectable subject within the general education curriculum.

During Tuesday's vote, 78 members of the Seimas (parliament) voted in favor of rejecting the proposal, with 5 against and 19 abstentions. The Seimas Committee on Education and Science had recommended dismissing the initiative, arguing that a separate law was unnecessary. Committee member Ingrida Braziulienė stated that sign language could be incorporated by supplementing existing documents approved by the Minister of Education, Science, and Sport, such as the description of primary, basic, and secondary education programs and general education plans.

Girskienė argued that making sign language accessible to students from an early age is crucial for popularizing the profession of sign language interpreters. She highlighted that Lithuania currently trains only a few specialists annually, leading to a shortage that creates significant inconveniences for individuals with hearing impairments, exacerbates inequality, and limits their opportunities. "Their daily lives become a challenge, and the gap only widens further," she stated.

The rejected proposal aimed to acknowledge sign language as one of the languages students could choose to learn in general education programs, provided the school had the resources to offer such instruction. Currently, Lithuanian law does not explicitly allow students to choose sign language as an elective subject. According to the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, Lithuania is home to approximately 6,600 individuals with hearing impairments.

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It creates many inconveniences for people with hearing impairments, increases inequality, and limits their opportunities. Their daily lives become a challenge, and the gap only widens further.