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The aim of the proposed changes is to give final-year students more flexibility in their choice of subjects, focus on the subjects most important to them and study them in a more coherent and in-depth way, spending more time. It is also proposed to change the assessment of achievements at the end of the secondary education program and move to the so-called cumulative assessment, when the final grade on the maturity certificate is not determined by instant measurement on the maturity test, but also by assessments intermediate during the school year.
“When updating general education curricula, it is necessary to review secondary education subjects and the time allotted for them. Secondary education in Lithuania lasts only two years, many subjects are learned, so there is not enough time for topics problematic, more complex issues, a deeper understanding of phenomena, creative solutions ”, says Ramūnas Skaudžius, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports.
According to the vice minister, students who want to study some subjects in depth have almost no opportunity, since they are forced to charge for the hours assigned to the secondary education program, they are forced to take subjects that do not always satisfy their needs.
“Currently, in secondary education more attention is paid to the acquisition of knowledge, but there is a lack of time to apply and use that knowledge creatively, therefore, when updating the secondary education program, activities such as mature work and social and civic Activities are offered. These activities would ensure a balance between academic knowledge, inquiry-based learning and practice-oriented education, and would promote students’ awareness and civic maturity, ”says R. Skaudžius.
The proposed project envisages dedicating more hours to the study of Lithuanian language, literature and mathematics, as well as offering additional modules for students who wish to study certain subjects in more detail, refusing to divide the subjects into general and advanced courses, except the Lithuanian language. and Literature and Mathematics, a subject list in subjects such as philosophy, psychology, law.
He intends to spend more time on the Lithuanian language and mathematics.
It is suggested that students in grades 11-12 study 6 compulsory subjects (there are now 8), of which Lithuanian language, literature and mathematics would be compulsory for all, and the other 4 would be chosen from the list of subjects. It would include subjects from the following groups: languages (national minority languages in schools and mother tongues: German, Russian, Belarusian, Polish), STEM sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, informatics, engineering technologies), public education (history, geography), economics and entrepreneurship) and the arts. Physical education (3 hours per week), social and civic activities, maturity work, which is now only optional, would also be mandatory.
More hours would be devoted to compulsory subjects. Lithuanian language and literature – general course 4 h. per week, advanced course – 6 pm per week. It is now assigned at 3 pm in the general course and at 4 pm in an advanced course. It is also suggested that 4 hours be devoted to mathematics. in the general course and at 6 pm advanced – now 3 pm in general and 4.5 h. in the advanced.
4 compulsory hours would be assigned to the subject chosen by the student. (now 2-3 hours). Assigning more hours to subjects would increase the total number of hours per week for students and therefore the learning load would not change.
From the optional subjects, the student will be able to choose subject modules, subjects from the list of optional subjects: arts, psychology, philosophy, ethics, religion, history of freedom struggles, ethnic culture, etc.
Students would have greater flexibility in learning elective subjects and the coherence of general, professional, specialized and non-formal educational systems if the student chose modules not only at their school
Cumulative evaluation
It is suggested that compulsory and compulsory electives be assessed by means of an exam or other exam, such as research papers or projects.
“Although there is an extensive study, it is enough to pass two exams or an exam to obtain a maturity certificate and prepare a maturity work. This system does not encourage consistent and responsible learning of all subjects in secondary education, which is why subject learning is often underestimated in schools if students choose not to take the exam. On the other hand, the maturity exam system carries too much weight and causes a lot of tension and stress for students, teachers and parents, ”says Ramūnas Skaudžius, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports.
The new draft framework for secondary education was prepared in consultation with national and foreign experts, teachers, students, school leaders, universities, etc. Organizations. The cumulative evaluation system was tested in the project “Development of the General Education Research, Evaluation and Monitoring System: Evaluation of Student Achievement” implemented by the National Education Agency.
The renewed general secondary education curriculum would be implemented beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.
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