Vilnius Lyceum head criticizes education system decisions as irresponsible

Lithuania's Education Ministry plans to establish an expert working group to find ways to support students aiming for secondary education. Minister Raminta Popovienė stated the group will include scientists and experts focused on improving the quality of secondary education and ensuring students can successfully prepare for 10th-grade assessments. This initiative comes amidst ongoing debates about educational standards and student support systems.

However, the path forward for educational reforms remains contentious. President Gitanas Nausėda recently vetoed amendments that would have abolished the minimum threshold for the Basic Education Achievement Test (PUPP) for 10th graders. The President proposed postponing the implementation of any changes until 2029, arguing that removing the requirement is not a well-founded or systematic decision. This means the current requirements will remain in place for at least three more years.

Further complicating the educational landscape, the Seimas (parliament) decided to revoke a rule set to take effect this September. This rule would have required students to pass three state exams to obtain a secondary education certificate. Now, only two state exams, Lithuanian language and literature, plus one other chosen subject, are needed. This contrasts with neighboring countries like Poland, Estonia, Finland, and Germany, which require three to five state exams for graduation. Saulius Jurkevičius, the director of Vilnius Lyceum, has voiced strong criticism, calling the decisions "irresponsible on a national scale." He argues that while the state aims to help students, these changes may not adequately prepare them for future academic challenges.