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, 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. The purpose of education of learners with special educational needs shall be to help a learner learn and to be trained according to his abilities, attain an education level and acquire a 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 2021–2022 academic year, there were 957 general schools operating in the country. In autumn 2021, the number of first-graders stood at 28.8 thousand, which is by 0.9 thousand (3.2 per cent) less than in 2020. The number of students studying under the general education programmes totalled 330 thousand. Almost half of all students (50.2 per cent) study under the general lower secondary education programmes, 116.2 thousand (35.2 per cent) – primary education programmes, 44 thousand (13.3 per cent) – general upper secondary education programmes. In 2021, lower secondary education certificates were received by 24.8 thousand students (in 2020, 25.3 thousand), general certificates of secondary education were awarded to 19.9 thousand (in 2020, 20.4 thousand). More two thirds of school-leavers (71.7 per cent) in the same year continued education in other educational institutions: 40.2 per cent – at universities, 20.7 per cent – in colleges, 10.8 per cent – in vocational schools.

In 2021, 91.8 per cent of the youth aged 20–24 had at least upper secondary education (in 2020, 90.1 per cent). In 2021, upper secondary education in general schools was received by 19.9 thousand school-leavers, in vocational education institutions – by 3.5 thousand (in 2020, 20.4 and 3.5 thousand respectively).

At the beginning of the 2021–2022 academic year, there were 27.4 thousand teachers and heads of schools working in general schools, which is by 0.5 thousand (1.9 per cent) less than in the 2020–2021 academic year; 27.4 thousand (98 per cent) of them had higher education. Among teachers, women accounted for 88.3 per cent. More than a third (38 per cent) of teachers and heads of schools were aged 50–59, almost a quarter (23 per cent) – aged 60 and older. The average age of a teacher – 50.9 years (in 2017, 49.7).

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

Total

22,103

21,164

20,705

20,03

19,343

Mother tongue (Lithuanian)

2,855

2,77

2,717

2,681

2,684

Mother tongue (not Lithuanian)

258

243

245

237

243

History and political science

1,271

1,202

1,191

1,138

1,109

English language

2,993

2,898

2,869

2,823

2,798

French language

116

107

108

104

97

German language

314

299

276

269

250

Russian language

1,007

947

926

860

826

Other languages

6

9

12

21

23

Mathematics

2,276

2,197

2,176

2,094

2,052

Information technologies

804

778

751

742

709

Natural sciences

113

105

110

159

153

Geography

772

722

693

675

660

Biology

818

793

764

700

675

Economy

75

66

69

72

67

Physics and astronomy

664

639

637

585

555

Chemistry

537

508

490

437

422

Arts

652

609

591

532

542

Music

1,205

1,124

1,066

1,015

810

Theatre

37

34

37

38

38

Dance

252

252

257

253

258

Technologies

1,235

1,152

1,13

1,109

1,066

Physical education

1,475

1,392

1,378

1,361

1,343

Religion

650

615

593

569

542

Ethics

402

378

387

354

355

Basics of civil society

27

25

25

30

26

Civil security

118

112

97

104

86

Special subjects

398

439

407

414

322

Other subjects

773

749

703

654

632