Overview of Education System
Lithuania’s Parliament defines the basic principles, structures, and objectives of education, while the Ministry of Education and Science devises and implements educational policy. The Ministry defines the curriculum in use throughout the country and determines teacher salaries, requirements for teacher qualifications, priorities for qualification development, and the assignment of educational staff. Local municipalities are responsible for administering and financing general education schools, with the exception of some national level schools. The municipalities also are responsible for the assessment of schools, administrators, teachers, professional development, and student achievement.
The levels of education in Lithuania are divided according to UNESCO’s International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) 2011.1 Education is compulsory for students ages 7 to 16. While preschool education is optional for children ages 0 to 6, one year of compulsory preprimary education is provided in kindergartens, schools, or multifunctional centers for 6 year old children as of September 2016.
Primary school consists of Grades 1 to 4. According to the Law on Education, children who have reached age 7 must attend the first grade. By parents’ request, a child can begin the school year earlier. Students’ mental and physical maturity is determined by municipal pedagogical-psychological services.
Basic school comprises Grades 5 to 10. Upper secondary school consists of Grades 11 and 12. Gymnasia form a parallel system of education lasting four years and corresponding to Grades 9 to 12. Currently, schools are being reorganized with three types of public schools: primary (Grades 1 to 4), progymnasia (Grades 1 to 8 or 5 to 8), and gymnasia (Grades 9 to 12).2