A description of the educational system in Lithuania

1. THE LITHUANIAN EDUCATIONTHE LITHUANIAN EDUCATION
SYSTEMSYSTEM

2. THE LITHUANIAN EDUCATIONTHE LITHUANIAN EDUCATION
SYSTEMSYSTEM
Lithuania has 12 years ofLithuania has 12 years of
comprehensive education andcomprehensive education and
three cycles of higher education,three cycles of higher education,
including the programmes ofincluding the programmes of
Bachelor, Master and theBachelor, Master and the
Doctorate.Doctorate.

3. The system of the LithuanianThe system of the Lithuanian
education consist of:education consist of:
 FormalFormal and higherand higher educationeducation
 Informal educationInformal education
 Self – educationSelf – education
 Help for a pupilHelp for a pupil
 Help for a teacher and schoolHelp for a teacher and school

4. Formal educationFormal education
 PrimaryPrimary
 BBasicasic
 SSecondaryecondary
 VocationalVocational
 CCollege type (post-secondary, formerollege type (post-secondary, former
technicumstechnicums))

5. Primary educationPrimary education
 (state, but there are some private schools). Grades 1-4. Compulsary(state, but there are some private schools). Grades 1-4. Compulsary
education begins in the first grade through school – kindegartens,education begins in the first grade through school – kindegartens,
primary schools and other schools. There are four grades forprimary schools and other schools. There are four grades for
children from seven to eleven age range.children from seven to eleven age range.
 The curriculum: Ethics or Religion, a native language, a modernThe curriculum: Ethics or Religion, a native language, a modern
foreign language (English, German, French), Science, Mathematics,foreign language (English, German, French), Science, Mathematics,
Physical Education, Art, Music.Physical Education, Art, Music.
 Primary schools have no grade assessment, instead focussing onPrimary schools have no grade assessment, instead focussing on
child's individual progress. Pupils get oral information or brief writtenchild's individual progress. Pupils get oral information or brief written
description on their achievements. Trimester, semester ordescription on their achievements. Trimester, semester or academicacademic
year end in round - up evaluation specifying the achieved level:year end in round - up evaluation specifying the achieved level:
satisfactory, basic or advanced.satisfactory, basic or advanced.

6. Basic educationBasic education
 (Junior Secondary education). Grades 5 - 8 or Grades 5-(Junior Secondary education). Grades 5 - 8 or Grades 5-
10. It is provided by basic, secondary, youth, vocational10. It is provided by basic, secondary, youth, vocational
schools and gymnasiums. The curriculum: Ethics orschools and gymnasiums. The curriculum: Ethics or
Religion, a native language, a modern foreign languageReligion, a native language, a modern foreign language
(English, German, French), Science, Mathematics,(English, German, French), Science, Mathematics,
Physical Education, Art, Music. History from Grade 5, thePhysical Education, Art, Music. History from Grade 5, the
second foreign language (English, German, French,second foreign language (English, German, French,
Russian) and Biology from Grade 6, Physics from GradeRussian) and Biology from Grade 6, Physics from Grade
7, Chemistry from Grade 8. Education is compulsory7, Chemistry from Grade 8. Education is compulsory
until age sixteenuntil age sixteen..

7. Secondary educationSecondary education
 Senior secondary education is state, but there are someSenior secondary education is state, but there are some
private schools. In addition, senior secondary educationprivate schools. In addition, senior secondary education
(Grades 11-12) can be attended at various other types of(Grades 11-12) can be attended at various other types of
schools such as secondary, vocational schools andschools such as secondary, vocational schools and
gymnasiums, special schools (for pupils with specialgymnasiums, special schools (for pupils with special
needs), adult education institutions, and schools forneeds), adult education institutions, and schools for
socially disadvantages pupils. Secondary educationsocially disadvantages pupils. Secondary education
programme consists of obligatory and optional generalprogramme consists of obligatory and optional general
education and possible professional training modules.education and possible professional training modules.
Secondary education programme, which in additionSecondary education programme, which in addition
provides qualification, may last 3 years. Grades 11-12provides qualification, may last 3 years. Grades 11-12
can take A levels in subjects which they will choose forcan take A levels in subjects which they will choose for
the future study, other subjects can be taken in B levels.the future study, other subjects can be taken in B levels.
Students follow individual education plans. TheStudents follow individual education plans. The
programme may include vocational training modules.programme may include vocational training modules.

8. Vocational educationVocational education
 It is available at the age of 14. Vocational training is designed toIt is available at the age of 14. Vocational training is designed to
develop or acquire skills. Vocational training is provided bydevelop or acquire skills. Vocational training is provided by
vocational schools.vocational schools.
Apart from vocational training, vocational schools can provideApart from vocational training, vocational schools can provide
basic and secondary education. Duration of the programmes maybasic and secondary education. Duration of the programmes may
be from two to three years depending on whether the programme isbe from two to three years depending on whether the programme is
designed to acquire basic or secondary education or if it is adapteddesigned to acquire basic or secondary education or if it is adapted
for people with special needs. The duration of training for secondaryfor people with special needs. The duration of training for secondary
school graduates is from 1 to 2 years.school graduates is from 1 to 2 years.
Completion of a training programme followed by examinationsCompletion of a training programme followed by examinations
leads to acquisition of a certain qualification. Acquisition ofleads to acquisition of a certain qualification. Acquisition of
secondary education may be followed by further studies at collegessecondary education may be followed by further studies at colleges
or universities. Higher education schools offer on admissionor universities. Higher education schools offer on admission
additional points to best achievers and those with practicaladditional points to best achievers and those with practical
experience in the field of the acquired qualification.experience in the field of the acquired qualification.

9. Higher educationHigher education
 Higher education is general, it is availableHigher education is general, it is available
for students who have secondaryfor students who have secondary
education. Higher education studyeducation. Higher education study
programmes are provided by higherprogrammes are provided by higher
education institutions – universities andeducation institutions – universities and
colleges. There are three cycles ofcolleges. There are three cycles of
studies: first - professional Bachelor’s orstudies: first - professional Bachelor’s or
Bachelor’s Degree, second - Master’s,Bachelor’s Degree, second - Master’s,
 the third - Doctorate.the third - Doctorate.

10. AssessmentAssessment
 Learning achievements in grades 5-12 inLearning achievements in grades 5-12 in
secondary schools as well as in thesecondary schools as well as in the
majority of higher educationmajority of higher education
establishments are assessed as follows:establishments are assessed as follows:
10(exellent) - 1 (unsatisfactory).10(exellent) - 1 (unsatisfactory).