As the new school year approaches, Lithuanian teachers have expressed concerns about missing lessons, overcrowded classrooms and a long-running salary dispute; the education minister has promised changes, but they won’t be quick.
Vilnius Pilaitė Gymnasium has 130 more students enrolled this year than before. New textbooks are still not available, and schools have to rely on digital platforms. The school’s principal, Mindaugas Briedis, said all students are registered in the EDUKA system, where all books are available digitally.
Another obstacle is the lack of staff. According to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, schools across the country are still looking for almost 500 teachers. Briedis said his school is currently looking for two part-time teachers.
During a meeting with Education Minister Raminta Popovienė, hundreds of teachers said that low pay and difficult working conditions remain the main reasons for attracting talent. Oversized classes and insufficient teaching materials were also mentioned. Vilija Klimavičienė, a teacher at Šiauliai Juventas Progymnasium, said that
the needs are the same as always – smaller classes, sufficient resources and proper psychological conditions.
Teachers are also concerned about the current salary calculation model. Special education teacher Virginija Duksienė said that it is not really clear what is being paid for, it leaves room for manipulation. A teacher from Elektrėni agrees, adding that everything is in the hands of the principals, and they decide how much to pay each teacher, and in the end they may not even know whether the pay is fair.
The minister promised that the salary issue would be considered, but that it would take time, but added that teachers’ salaries would be increased by 8% already in September. Supplements to the salary for the use of the new curriculum would also be applied.
The head of the Lithuanian Trade Union of Education Workers Andrius Navickas, however, pointed out that this was not enough to fulfill the previous promise and the increase should have been at least 10-15%.
The government has allocated 35 million euros for new textbooks, however, they will not arrive in schools earlier than the end of September, and for the senior grades of secondary school – only next year.
Read the whole article in English here: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2656217/teachers-in-lithuania-voice-frustrations-over-textbooks-and-pay-ahead-of-new-school-year
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