General education is carried out in accordance with the programmes of primary, general lower secondary and general upper secondary education. In pursuance of the Law on Education of the Republic of Lithuania, education in the first grade starts at the age of 7 or earlier if a child reaches this age in the calendar year. Four-year primary education is provided by general education schools and other types of schools or education providers. Primary education is attained upon the completion of a primary education programme. Primary education is followed by the basic one. A six-year basic educational programme can be carried out by gymnasiums, secondary, basic and other schools. Upon the completion of a basic education programme, basic education is attained. Basic education of a school student is followed by secondary education. A two-year secondary education programme can be carried out by gymnasiums, secondary schools and other schools. Upon the completion of a secondary education programme, the general certificate of secondary education is awarded, enabling to pursue higher education. Special education is provided to persons with special needs in order for them to learn according to one’s abilities and attain education and qualification. Students with considerable and major special educational needs may study in general education schools (classes) designated for students with special educational needs until 21 years of age.

At the beginning of the 2020–2021 academic year, there were 977 general schools operating in the country. In autumn 2020, the number of first-graders stood at 27.9 thousand, which is by 1.9 thousand (6 per cent) less than in 2019. The number of students studying under the general education programmes totalled 327 thousand. Almost half of all students (47.9 per cent) study under the general lower secondary education programmes, 116.7 thousand (34.6 per cent) – primary education programmes, 44.8 thousand (13.3 per cent) – general upper secondary education programmes. In 2020, lower secondary education certificates were received by 24.3 thousand students (in 2019, 24.8 thousand), general certificates of secondary education were awarded to 20.4 thousand (in 2019, 21.5 thousand). More two thirds of school-leavers (70.6 per cent) in the same year continued education in other educational institutions: 38.8 per cent – at universities, 20.2 per cent – in colleges, 11.7 per cent – in vocational schools.

In 2020, 90.1 per cent of the youth aged 20–24 had at least upper secondary education (in 2019, 92.5 per cent). In 2015–2020, the number of persons who received upper secondary education in general and vocational schools amounted to 166.9 thousand, or, on an average, 27.8 thousand every year. In 2020, upper secondary education in general schools was received by 20.4 thousand school-leavers, in vocational education institutions – by 3.5 thousand (in 2019, 21.5 and 3.9 thousand respectively).

At the beginning of the 2020–2021 academic year, there were 27.9 thousand teachers and heads of schools working in general schools, which is by 0.6 thousand (2.3 per cent) less than in the 2019–2020 academic year; 27.9 thousand (98 per cent) of them had higher education. Among teachers, women accounted for 88 per cent. More than a third (38 per cent) of teachers and heads of schools were aged 50–59, one-fifth (20 per cent) – aged 60 and older. The average age of a teacher – 50.5 years (in 2011, 46.7).

There was no significant change in the number of subject teachers.

Total

23,084

22,103

21,164

20,705

20,03

Mother tongue (Lithuanian)

2,819

2,855

2,77

2,717

2,681

Mother tongue (not Lithuanian)

263

258

243

245

237

National (Lithuanian) language

184

x

x

x

x

History and political science

1,329

1,271

1,202

1,191

1,138

English language

3,103

2,993

2,898

2,869

2,823

French language

121

116

107

108

104

German language

346

314

299

276

269

Russian language

1,085

1,007

947

926

860

Other languages

7

6

9

12

21

Mathematics

2,387

2,276

2,197

2,176

2,094

Information technologies

847

804

778

751

742

Natural sciences

128

113

105

110

159

Geography

807

772

722

693

675

Biology

843

818

793

764

700

Economy

77

75

66

69

72

Physics and astronomy

698

664

639

637

585

Chemistry

571

537

508

490

437

Arts

702

652

609

591

532

Music

1,229

1,205

1,124

1,066

1,015

Theatre

35

37

34

37

38

Dance

250

252

252

257

253

Technologies

1,26

1,235

1,152

1,13

1,109

Physical education

1,56

1,475

1,392

1,378

1,361

Religion

671

650

615

593

569

Ethics

420

402

378

387

354

Basics of civil society

33

27

25

25

30

Civil security

116

118

112

97

104

Special subjects

413

398

439

407

414

Other subjects

780

773

749

703

654