The State shall promote education as the sphere of primary significance in the development of the Republic of Lithuania. Education shall be based on the humanistic values of both the nation and the world, on the principles of democracy, and on the universally recognized human rights and freedoms. Education shall determine cultural, social and economic progress, and shall consolidate the solidarity, tolerance and cooperation among people and nations.

This Law shall establish the general foundations of the structure, activities and governing of the educational system of the Republic of Lithuania.

1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Article 1. Goals of the Educational System

The major goals of the educational system shall be:
1) to develop mental and physical abilities, to lay firm the foundations of morality and a healthy way of life, and to develop intellect while providing conditions for the further development of individuality;
2) to offer children both general and professional education corresponding to the current level of science and culture;
3) to provide the opportunity for the residents of Lithuania to continue their education;
4) to clarify personal rights and to instill a sense of civic duty to the family, nation, society and the State of Lithuania, as well as the need to participate in the cultural, social, economic and political life of the Republic.

Article 2. Educational System of Lithuania

The educational system of Lithuania shall include preschool, primary and secondary school, and further schooling, which shall be implemented in educational institutions of the following types:
institutions of pre-school education;
primary and secondary schools of general education;
vocational schools;
higher schools; and
institutions of additional education.

Article 3. Pre-school Development

Children who are below the age of 6 (7), upon the wish of their parent or guardian, shall be enrolled in nursery schools and kindergartens. Orphans and neglected children shall be enrolled in child care institutions.

The State shall encourage the education of children below the age of 6 (7) at home, and shall provide compensational benefits. Institutions of education and health care shall provide methodical, diagnostical, and consultational assistance to families who educate children at home.

Article 4. General Secondary Education

General secondary education shall be acquired in three stages over the period of twelve years. The three stages of schooling shall be constituted by separate administrative units: primary, principal and secondary schools. The duration of learning in such schools shall be established by the regulations of a secondary school of general education.

General education may be also acquired at a vocational school of an appropriate level.

Secondary schools for adults (i.e. part-time or evening schools) will be provided for those who wish to complete their general education.

Schools of general education will be provided in sanatoriums for children who are undergoing treatment. Schoolchildren who are being treated in hospitals or at home shall be educated in accordance with the procedures established by the Ministry of Culture and Education.

Special administrative schools of general education shall be established for schoolchildren who demonstrate anti-social behaviour.

Article 5. Vocational Training

Technical education shall be offered at vocational schools and at institutes of higher education. In such schools, vocational training shall be coordinated with general education.

Vocational education may be furthered at advanced training and re-training institutes.

Skilled training at various levels may be acquired at vocational schools (technical, agricultural, commercial and trade). Only persons who are 14 years of age and over shall be admitted to such schools.

Article 6. Higher Education

Specialists shall be educated at institutes of higher education (i.e. colleges). Persons enrolling in such institutes must have completed secondary education.

Article 7. Additional Training

Extracurricular courses and clubs shall be established for those who wish to pursue interests in fields such as art, sports, languages, and technical studies.

Article 8. Educational Qualification

The following areas of educational qualification shall be established in the Republic of Lithuania: primary education, principal education, secondary education, higher education, and graduate education.

Article 9. Establishment, Reorganization and Liquidation of Educational Institutions

Public educational institutions shall be established, reorganized and liquidated by the Ministry of Culture and Education of the Republic of Lithuania. Higher level local governments (hereinafter referred to as local governments) may also establish, reorganize and liquidate state educational institutions upon the agreement of the Ministry of Culture and Education.

Other ministries and departments may establish, reorganize and liquidate public educational institutions upon the approval of the Ministry of Culture and Education. With permission from the Ministry of Culture and Education, private educational institutions may be established, reorganized, and liquidated by registered legal persons of the Republic of Lithuania or by individual citizens of Lithuania. Statutes of such educational institutions shall be registered at local governments.

In the event that the laws of the Republic of Lithuania are violated by private educational institutions, the Ministry of Culture and Education may suspend the activities of such institutions under its own initiative until the conflict is settled in court.

Educational institutions shall be under the jurisdiction of their founders.

The procedure of establishment, reorganization and liquidation of educational institutions shall follow general regulations which shall be approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

Article 10. Language of Instruction

The language of instruction in Lithuanian schools of the Republic of Lithuania shall be Lithuanian. In the numerous close communities of ethnic minorities, the state will either provide or support pre-schools and schools or classes of general education in the native language. The parent or guardian may choose the pre-school or school of general education according to its language of instruction.

For small ethnic minorities who do not comprise a close community, compulsory or optional classes as well as Sunday schools aimed at learning or improvement of the native language may be established at The state schools of general education may establish separate classes, optional classes, or Sunday school classes for small ethnic minorities who do not comprise a close community but would like to learn or improve their native language.

In non-Lithuanian educational institutions, Lithuanian language and literature shall be taught in Lithuanian. If the parents or children so desire, conditions shall be provided to study other subjects in the Lithuanian language as well.

All secondary schools of general education must ensure command of the Lithuanian language in accordance with the standards established by the Ministry of Culture and Education.

The opportunity to have instruction in the Lithuanian language shall be provided throughout the territory of the Republic of Lithuania.

Article 11. Health Care

In all educational institutions, conditions to protect and secure the mental and physical health of the pupils and teachers shall be created. Ministries and departments, local governments, organizations, and citizens having educational institutions at their disposition, shall provide conditions for studying, recreation, physical fitness, nutrition, and medical and psychological assistance at these schools, as established in legal acts.

Article 12. Development and Education of Mentally or

Physically Disabled Children and Schoolchildren

All mentally or physically disabled schoolchildren shall be educated either at home, in general or corrective groups in pre- schools or schools, or at special pre-schools or schools which are located as near to the parents' place of residence as possible.

Children shall be counseled for corrective or special treatment by commissions of diagnostic specialists, who shall take into consideration the character of the defect, its seriousness, and its complexity. In the case that the parents disagree with the decision of the commission of diagnostic specialists, their appeal shall be considered by the national commission of diagnostic specialists.

Counsel for corrective or special treatment, as well as provision, supervision and control of corrective assistance, shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures established by the Ministries of Culture and Education and Health Care.

Article 13. Payment for Instruction

Instruction in public schools of general education, vocational schools, and colleges of the Republic of Lithuania shall be free of cost. Instruction in public pre-school institutions (with the exception of child care institutions) as well as in institutions of additional education which are maintained or assisted by the state, shall be partly funded.

Payment for instruction at private educational institutions shall be in accordance to individual agreements.

Article 14. Financial Assistance for Pupils

The state shall provide stipends for those (students) pupils who need financial assistance.

Article 15. Teachers' Salaries

Teachers at public educational institutions shall receive salaries according to their qualifications and workload. At public educational institutions, teachers shall be paid for work outside of the classroom.

Teachers working at educational institutions located in rural areas, as well as in those spheres of education which require special assistance of the state, shall be financially compensated. Such teachers shall be given special privileges as determined by the Government.

Article 16. Children and Youth Organizations

Child and youth organizations which promote the moral, civic, cultural, physical, and social maturity of its members, and foster their self-education and self-expression, shall be permitted to function at educational institutions. The activities of such organizations shall be based on the statute registered in accordance with the established order, and they shall not contradict either the Basic Provisional Law of the Republic of Lithuania or any other laws.

Article 17. Religious Instruction at State Educational Institutions

Upon the wish of the parents (or guardians), children may have religious instruction in school by individuals authorized by church dignitaries of the chosen denomination.

Children in ward shall be instructed in the religion which is professed by their families or relatives.

2. RIGHTS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PUPILS, PARENTS, AND TEACHERS

Article 18. Rights of Pupils

Pupils shall have the right to:

1) enter any school provided that their education and other requisites (i.e. health requirements, command of the language of instruction) correspond to the terms of admission;
2) decide the future of their religious education after age 15;
3) join child and youth organizations, to develop the activities of such organizations, and to take part in interest clubs;
4) participate in the self-government of an educational
institution in accordance to the regulations of the institution;
5) skip any level of general or vocational schooling if he or she is able to pass the necessary examinations.

Article 19. Duties of Pupils

Pupils must:

1) attend school until the age of 16;
2) observe the rules of their educational institution. Article 20. Rights of Parents and Guardians Parents and guardians shall have the right to:
1) freely choose between a public or private education for their children;
2) send their children to the school which is assigned according to the parents' place of residence or to another chosen pre-school or school of general education;
3) participate in the self-governing of educational institutions;
4) acquire information concerning their children's education, behaviour, and studying conditions from the respective schools.

Article 21. Duties of Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians must:

1) create living and studying conditions for their children which guarantee sound and secure development of their mental and physical abilities as well as their moral growth;
2) send their children, beginning at the age of 6 (7), to schools of general education if they are of sufficient physical and psychological maturity. Contingent upon documents which confirm the level of psycho-physical maturity, parents may send a child who has not reached the age of 6 to school, or may withhold a child who has already reached the age of 7 from attending school;
3) cooperate with educational institutions in questions concerning their child's education, and must ensure that their child will attend school until the age of 16.

Article 22. The Rights to Work as a Teacher

Persons having qualification documents from teacher-training institutes authorized by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania have the right to work as a teacher in educational institutions at a respective level.

Persons who do not have qualification documents shall be

granted the right to teach at educational institutions of a respective type (level) if the attestation commission confirms that their abilities are in keeping with the regulations of teacher's qualification.

A person may be denied the right to teach in accordance with the order provided for in the laws.

Article 23. The Rights of Teachers

Teachers shall have the right to:

1) freely choose the manner of organization of teaching activities;
2) improve their qualification and receive a corresponding salary in accordance with the established order;
3) suitable working conditions;
4) yearly prolonged vacations (48 working days);
5) take part in the self-government of state educational institutions provided that they are not employees of the administration of that institution; and
6) to join social organizations.

Article 24. The Duties of Teachers

Teachers must:

1) develop the students' norms of morality, and guarantee safe and sound development of their personal abilities;
2) aim to make development programs comprehensive for the pupils;
3) adhere to the principles of pedagogical ethics;
4) participate in activities outside of school in order to further develop the cultural and personal interests of the pupils.
5) improve their qualification; and
6) cooperate with parents and guardians in settling questions of a child's education.

Article 25. The Responsibility of Pupils, Parents, Guardians and Teachers

Pupils who do not fulfill their duties shall be disciplined in accordance with the order established by the educational institution.

Parents, guardians, and teachers who do not carry out their responsibilities, or who cause physical, psychological, or moral harm to their pupils, shall be accountable in accordance with the procedures established by law.

3. THE ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNING OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS

Article 26. The Organization of the Educational Process

Educational institutions of the Republic of Lithuania shall function according to plans and programs approved by the Ministry of Culture and Education, or in coordination with the order established by the Ministry. The contents and methods of teaching must correspond to the given tasks of educational institutions, as well as to the needs of society. At educational institutions, it shall be prohibited to propagandize hostility (racial, ethnic, religious or social), or superiority which runs counter to the universally recognized principles of international law and humanism.

Schools of general education of ethnic minorities may be supplemented by the elements of ethnic culture.

At secondary schools of general education, languages other than Lithuanian shall be taught depending on the preference of the parents and the capacity of the school.

Militaristic subjects shall not be taught at a school of general education.

Article 27. The Beginning of the School Year

At primary and secondary schools of general education, the school year shall begin on the 1st of September.

Article 28. The Regulations of the Activities of Educational Institutions

In their activities State educational institutions shall guide their activities in accordance with the regulations of the institution as approved by their local government. These regulations shall contradict neither the other laws of the Republic of Lithuania nor the general regulations of the activities of educational institutions.

The regulations of private educational institutions shall be coordinated in accordance with the order established by the Ministry of Culture and Education and shall be registered with local governments.

Article 29. Graduation Documents from Educational Institutions

Individuals who have completed an educational institution or an individual level of such an institution shall be issued a document, as established by the Ministry of Culture and Education, which will certify their education. Individuals who have graduated from a private institution shall be issued a comparable certificate if the education provided by these institutions corresponds to state standards. Graduation documents (i.e. diplomas) shall be issued in the manner established by the Ministry of Culture and Education.

Article 30. Supervision of the Pedagogical (Educational) Activities at Educational Institutions

The Ministry of Culture and Education together with the educational departments of the respective higher level local governments shall supervise the educational activities at all general educational institutions.

Only the certification commission, public school inspectors and persons defined in the general regulations of the educational institution shall have the right to observe the work of a teacher. Other persons may observe providing that they have the teacher's consent.

Article 31. The Jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture and Education in the Field of Education

The Ministry of Culture and Education:

1) shall establish, reorganize and liquidate educational institutions which are subordinate to it, and shall appoint and dismiss the directors of such institutions;
2) shall approve the establishment and reorganization of both state and private educational institutions;
3) may suspend the activities of private educational institutions if they contradict the laws of the republic of Lithuania;
4) shall approve the general regulations of public educational institutions subjected to the Ministry or to its sphere of governance;
5) shall present its decisions concerning the registration of child and youth organization regulations to the Ministry of Justice;
6) shall approve the general curricula (i.e. teaching plans, textbooks) for public educational institutions;
7) shall organize the production, publication and preparation of teaching curricula, textbooks and various materials;
8) shall establish the state standard of the various levels of development of general education;
9) shall approve, in writing, candidates who are nominated by local governments to become heads of the departments of culture and education of local governments, or of educational institutions subject to them. These leaders may be dismissed either by the Ministry of Culture and Education, or on the initiative of the local government upon the coordination of this question with the Ministry;
10) shall be concerned with the training of teachers and the improvement of their qualifications, and shall organize a systematic certification of teachers' skills;
11) shall approve, on the basis of educational functionalism, the architectural designs of educational institutions which were commissioned by the Ministry to be constructed; and
12) shall approve education completion documents (i.e. diplomas) which are issued abroad.

Other ministries and departments of the Republic of Lithuania:

1) upon agreement with the Ministry of Culture and Education, shall establish, reorganize, and liquidate educational institutions subject to them, and shall appoint and dismiss their heads;
2) upon agreement with the Ministry of Culture and Education, shall approve the general regulations of the activities of educational institutions assigned to their jurisdiction;
3) shall approve teaching plans, curricula, programs and text-books, and shall organize their preparation and publishing;
4) shall coordinate with the Ministry of Culture and Education the general curricula of the educational institutions subject to them ; 5) shall, in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture and Education, establish the standard of education which must be provided by vocational schools and colleges subordinate to them; and
6) shall be concerned with the training of teachers of special subjects, with the improvement of their qualification, and shall organize their systematic certification.

Local governments:

1) shall, upon the consent of the Ministry of Culture and Education, establish, reorganize, and liquidate educational institutions subordinate to them;
2) shall, upon the consent of the Ministry of Culture and Education, register the general regulations of the activities of private educational institutions which are subordinate to them. Upon approval of the Ministry, the local governments may terminate the activities of these institutions if they run counter to the laws;
3.) shall guarantee the physical conditions for the activities of educational institutions subordinate to them;
4) shall, upon the approval of the Ministry of Culture and Education, appoint and dismiss the heads of the departments of culture and education and the heads of the educational institutions subordinate to them;
5) shall provide transportation, free of charge, for school- children who have no other means to commute to and from school (i.e. children who live in isolated areas); and
6) shall ensure that all children in their respective areas who are under the age of 16 attend school.

The Lithuanian Educational Council is an institution which acts as an expert and consultant in settling strategic questions that concern the development of education in the Republic of Lithuania.

The Council shall be formed and shall function pursuant to regulations approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

Article 35. Self- Governance of State Educational Institutions

The establishments of self-governance state educational institutions (i.e. the School Council, Teachers Council, Parents Committee):

1) shall, in accordance with the general laws of educational institutions of a respective type (level), approve the regulations of the activities of an educational institution;
2) shall establish the main prospects for the financial- economic activities of an educational institution; and
3) shall supervise the financial-economic activities of an educational institution.

The competence of the establishments of the self-governance of state educational institutions shall be defined in the general regulations of the activities of educational institutions of a respective type (level).

Article 36. The Financing of Educational Institutions

The main sources of financing public educational institutions are the budgets of local governments and the budget of the Republic of Lithuania.

State financing shall guarantee normal conditions for the activities of these institutions. Other sources of financing are the Lithuanian Educational Fund, individual educational funds of towns and regions, and non-budgetary funds of educational institutions.

Private educational institutions shall be maintained by their founders. Private educational institutions which guarantee education corresponding to state standard may receive budgetary allotments in the manner established by the Government.

Article 37. Education Funds

The sources of the formation of the Lithuanian Educational Funds and regional educational funds are:

1) voluntary payments of persons, organizations and enterprises;
2) income from the activities of the fund; and
3) funds and materials donated by foreign state organizations and citizens, as well as by international institutions.

The regulations of the Lithuanian Educational Fund as well as general regulations of regional educational funds shall be approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

IV. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Article 38. The Right of Lithuanian Citizens to Study Abroad and Lithuanian Educational Institutions in Foreign Countries

Lithuanian citizens shall have the right to study in foreign states. This right shall be implemented on the initiative of an individual or through an agreement between the states.

Lithuanian educational institutions in foreign states shall be organized and shall be financially/materiallly assisted as according to the agreement between the states involved.

Article 39. Foreign Citizens and Persons without Citizenship Teaching and Studying in the Republic of Lithuania

Foreign citizens or persons without citizenship shall have the right to teach and study in the Republic of Lithuania. Their working and studying conditions at Lithuanian educational institutions shall be established by appropriate legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania and international treaties.

Article 40. International Treaties

If an international treaty of which the Republic of Lithuania takes part prescribes rules other than those established by this law, the provisions of the international treaty shall be applicable.

Bronius Kuzmickas
Vice President
Supreme Council
Republic of Lithuania
Vilnius
25 June, 1991
No. I-1489

Adapted to the WWW by Ildiko Ficzko

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