Rationale of the strategy
The purpose of the National Education Strategy 2003–2012 is to provide the framework for the development of education in Lithuania. The development of education should take into account the new challenges and opportunities for Lithuanian society, such as the development of democracy and the market economy, globalization, the emergence of the information society and social fragmentation. Education should help individuals and society to respond to these challenges and to take advantage of new opportunities. This requires essential reforms in order to increase efficiency, improve access to education, create conditions enabling continuing education and lifelong learning, and ensure that the quality of education conforms to European standards and meets the needs of modern Lithuanian society.
Concept of lifelong learning
The strategy does not give a definition of lifelong learning. It outlines a more general understanding of education in Lithuania, which is based on the principles of humanity, democracy and renewal. It also refers to the value and dignity of each individual, love, the natural equality of people, human rights and freedoms, tolerance and democracy. Education involves developing citizens’ determination and ability to follow these values in all areas of life.
Main challenges
The following issues are targeted in the strategy:
- The need to develop an efficient and consistent education system based on responsible management, targeted funding and rational use of resources
- The need to develop an accessible system of continuing education that guarantees lifelong learning and social justice in education
- The need to ensure high-quality education that is in line with the needs of individuals living in an open civil society under market economy conditions and with the more general needs of modern society
Main targets and measures
The strategy refers to all sectors of the education system, also taking into account flexible forms of informal learning and self-education. The following measures are proposed in the strategy:
- Efficiency and sustainability of the education development:
- Introducing a responsible management system and reform of education funding
- Developing a flexible and open structure that brings together general education, vocational education, training, higher education, formal education, informal education and self-education
- Providing transport for all pupils to and from schools
- Providing new jobs for teachers and opportunities to acquire new qualifications
- Strengthening links between schools, the labour market and everyday life
- Accessibility, continuity and social justice of the education development process:
- Guaranteeing equality in education and ensuring socially fair conditions for learning and studying
- Developing the family pedagogical counselling and information system
- Expanding preschool education services, especially for children from disadvantaged families
- Creating lifelong learning opportunities
- Quality of education development:
- Updating the contents of education and relating them to individuals’ new competencies
- Updating the training and work of teachers
- Modernizing general education, education research and assessment
- Renovating schools and improving the education supply system
Particular feature of the strategy
Regarding the objective of ‘Social justice of the education development process’, the strategy seeks to ensure socially fair conditions for learning and studying. In order to promote social equality in the education system, the following measures are proposed:
- Creating opportunities for the efficient education of children with different abilities and needs
- Developing a reliable system for the registration of school-age children
- Developing targeted complementary pedagogical and social work programmes for children experiencing difficulties
- Creating conditions for maintaining and strengthening pupils’ health and ensuring continuous monitoring of their health
- Ensuring good learning and studying conditions for children from ethnic minorities
- Giving children of migrant families opportunities to learn
- Enforcing the personal responsibility of parents for compulsory education of their children and tying financial support for families to the parental duty to take care of their children’s education
- Developing and expanding the system of support for gifted children and young people
- Developing a flexible and efficient system for supporting students
Relevant documents that the strategy refers to:
- Commission of the European Communities. 2000. Memorandum for Lifelong Learning
- European Ministers of Education. 1999. The Bologna Declaration
- Lithuania. Ministry of Economy. 2002. Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Lithuania until 2015
- 2011. Lithuania’s Progress Strategy “Lithuania 2030”
Stakeholders involved in the development of the strategy:
Stakeholders responsible for implementation of the strategy:
Further readings and web links:
- Ministry of Social Security and Labour
- Law on Higher Education and Research
- Provisions of the National Education Strategy 2003-2012
- National Qualifications Framework
- General Concept of Education in Lithuania 1992
Issuing Body
Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania
