Pre-school education. Children of pre-school age, if their parents wish, are educated in nurseries (up to 3 years) and kindergartens (up to 6-7 years). Orphans and homeless children are educated in children's homes.

Pre-school educational institutions are becoming more varied: at present there are state and non-state pre-school educational institutions, kindergartens run by religious communities, kindergartens employing Montessori's Method, full-time and part-time kindergartens, etc.

General education. General education is provided by the following educational institutions: primary schools of general education (four years); primary school type kindergartens; basic schools of general education (nine years); secondary schools of general education (twelve years); gymnasiums (four years); special schools; youth schools where pupils can receive basic education; vocational schools (providing basic or secondary education alongside vocational training); schools of general education for adults (education centres). Besides, pupils can receive general education in sanatorium type schools and in special regime schools of general education (intended for pupils of anti - social conduct).

Youth schools (there are 19 schools of this kind in Lithuania at present) are intended for pupils who for one reason or another do not fit in an ordinary general education school, lack motivation for learning. Youth schools are established as separate educational institutions or are associated with vocational schools.

Within the next few years it is planned to change over to the new structure of general education: 4+6+2.

Vocational training. Initial vocational education is provided in vocational schools, Higher vocational (non-university) education is provided in colleges, adult education centres make provision for vocational training in the labour market system. Initial vocational training is obtained in vocational schools, which provide for 5 programmes at different levels. In vocational schools pupils who have not received basic general education can choose from 2 different programmes: the first programme gives an opportunity to receive only vocational training; the second programme provides both general education and vocational training In vocational schools, pupils who finished basic school can also choose from two different programmes. One of them gives an opportunity to receive only vocational training and general secondary education. In vocational schools pupils with secondary education are offered a separate programme of vocational training in accordance with their wishes.

Higher vocational (non-university/college) education. Higher vocational education is provided for pupils in colleges (former 'technikums'). College music education is received in conservatories.

Higher vocational education is a continuation of studies after secondary education has been acquired. Educational provision of colleges must correspond to the fifth ISCED level (i.e. non-university higher education). Schools which prove unable to guarantee the necessary level of higher educational provision must be transformed into ordinary vocational schools.

Labour market vocational training. Adult labour market training and retraining is organised through regional labour market training services and centres. Labour market vocational training comes under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour.

Higher education. Young people can obtain higher education in 15 higher schools of Lithuania. Higher schools enrol people with secondary education. The course of studies in higher schools lasts 4 or 6 years.

Institutions of higher education admit people with secondary education acquired in secondary schools of general education, in gymnasiums, vocational school of further education or adult education institutions.

Higher education is recognised upon completion of the basic studies at the institution of higher education. Thereafter, specialised professional studies, a course for a Master's degree and doctoral studies may be pursued.

In the programme of the basic studies, the studies of the fundamentals of a field of research or art are integrated with the specialised study of some trend of professional activities. The basic studies last 4 years.

Upon completion of the basic studies, a Bachelor's degree, an equivalent academic qualification degree, or professional qualification are awarded, which depends on the kind of curriculum. Upon completion of the basic studies, specialised professional studies or a course for a Master's degree may be pursued.

Only those who have diplomas certifying the completion of the basic studies can be admitted to professional studies or a course for a Master's degree. Upon completion of specialised professional studies, a professional qualification is awarded. These studies last one year.

Upon completion of a course for a Master's degree, a Master's degree or an equivalent academic degree is awarded. These studies last 1,5 - 2 years.

Only those who have a Master's degree or the single-stage higher education diploma can be admitted to doctoral studies. At present doctoral studies do not last longer than 5 years. In the near future four-year doctoral studies will be introduced. The initial period of 1,5 - 2 years is devoted to studies. With the establishing of the four-year period for doctoral studies, the studies will continue 1 - 1,5 years.

Prepared by Audrone Uzieliene, Open Society Fund - Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania

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