According to andyeducation, the education system in Lithuania is overseen by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport. It is free and compulsory for all children aged 6 to 15. Primary school typically lasts six years and covers core subjects such as language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, art, music and foreign languages. At the end of primary school students take the Primary School Leaving Exam which determines their eligibility for secondary school. Secondary school in Lithuania consists of both academic and vocational programs. Academic programs are divided into two streams; general education which focuses on topics such as mathematics, science, foreign languages, and humanities; or technical education which focuses on trades such as engineering or agriculture so that students can enter the workforce after completing their studies. After completing secondary school students may choose to continue their studies at a higher educational institution in Lithuania where they can earn a bachelor’s degree or higher. Higher education in Lithuania includes universities, colleges and specialized institutions offering a variety of courses ranging from one year diploma programs to four year degree programs. Students must take a special entrance exam in order to be accepted into higher educational institutions in Lithuania. Upon completion of their studies students receive a diploma or certificate confirming their qualifications. In addition to traditional higher educational institutions there are also several private universities in Lithuania that offer more specialized programs such as business management or international relations. Furthermore there are also several research institutes that specialize in scientific research such as the Lithuanian Institute for Strategic Development which focuses on areas like technology innovation policy research and economic development strategies. The Lithuanian university system is characterized by its focus on high-quality teaching combined with research-oriented learning opportunities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The country has 13 public universities including Vilnius University – the oldest university in Eastern Europe – and Mykolas Romeris University – one of the most innovative universities in Europe – alongside 24 private institutions offering world-class degrees across multiple disciplines including medicine, engineering and law amongst others. To ensure quality throughout the system all Lithuanian universities are subject to rigorous accreditation procedures by various organizations including the European Quality Assurance Network for Higher Education (ENQA) who assess each institution’s ability to meet national standards regarding teaching quality, resources availability etc., before granting them full accreditation status so that graduates from these institutions can be confident that they have received an internationally recognized degree qualification from a reputable source. See educationvv for Lithuania educational systems.
