Gen Y trends: students focus on one skill, but the job market alone is not enough

He points out that Gen Y youth choose to develop only one skill, hard or soft skills, but in the job market, in his opinion, both are necessary.

G.Sarafinas says that one of the most controversial tests is still in Lithuanian. Although this year most of the students scored the highest Lithuanian language test in five years, some Lithuanians do not think the test is generally adequate.

“Lithuanians are divided into two groups, some of them support that this test is appropriate, but there are those who do not support that it does not show the achievements and linguistic skills of people in Lithuanian.

This has been going on for 10 years and the system has been in operation since 2011, and the National Education Agency is considering what and how much should be changed. So when it comes to the Lithuanian language, not everything is so fluid, clear and immutable, ”he says. But I don’t think the change is worth it, as this year things went more or less well.

He points out that every year, like this year, he is happy with the results of the English and Russian tests, but he doesn’t think there is anything to be happy about.

G.Sarafin states that the Russian language test is usually taken by students who have Russian as their mother tongue or communicate in this language with their family, so there are no questions for the test.

The English exam for several years also shows very good results from students, but, according to the specialist, it does not meet international standards.

“It has been said for many years that it is well maintained, but it is too easy, that is, it corresponds to level B1, although in other countries graduates take a more complex English test, that is – level B2. We look like people who live here with a facilitated program, ”he adds, adding that the English language proficiency test is not enough to enter foreign universities.

It is difficult to talk about fundamental subjects such as chemistry, physics or computer science, because in Lithuania only a small part of the students take these exams.

“If only a thousand out of 23 thousand have time, others have abandoned it since the tenth grade. Only those who think they understand something else take time. And others do not believe they understand, neither time nor we can draw conclusions about how they learn chemistry” A similar situation is observed for other elective exams.

As a result, young people, he said, often choose things that are difficult or unnecessary for them when choosing the things they will study in the last two years in schools. Although that approach, he says, is extremely strange.

What Causes Bad Test Results?

When asked what reasons may have led to poor test scores, he gives three main reasons: the general school climate, the consequences of the quarantine, and the general level of education in the country.

He says that it is very important, first of all, whether schooling is fashionable or not, which is determined by the administration.

“If there is a school hard not learning, it brings down even those who have had aspirations to pursue something [norą – red.] and he still laughs, he makes fun of them, “he says. But he emphasizes that there are still schools of this type in Lithuania where reading books and learning is in fashion.

As one of the reasons for the poor results this year in the math test, the specialist mentions the consequences of the quarantine. According to him, the student’s preparation for the exam depended on the teachers’ willingness to sacrifice themselves and not leave the students to their fate.

“I know in Vilnius, not in towns, in prestigious districts, where there were no distance math lessons. Teachers wrote homework on I love you [dienyną – red.] and you tour by yourself, as you understand, sending decisions and answers. These kids didn’t get a chance to ask anything.

And in other schools, that help was maximum. Teachers embarrassed working 12 hours a day but without releasing the children, they did not suffer. There are schools where the results are beautiful ”, he shares the different experiences of the students.

But another important aspect, according to Sarahin, is the education system in general and the work with the weakest students.

“Often all the statistics, the indicators and such a depressing picture of our education are made by the results of the underperforming students. <...> Other states find that it is worth hiring tutors for weaker children and working individually because there are groups of children who cannot work in the classroom. They detect loopholes, and then it turns into hatred for the subject, the teacher. We have to start by closing the gaps, “he says.

If tutors are expensive, there are cheaper options: hire teachers to work with the child after school so that he can learn.

Sarafin says that we can take the example not from richer countries like Singapore, but from India, for example. In this country, schools tried several different ways before finally starting to hire tutors for each child so that they could learn the subject to the fullest and prevent the development of ‘snowball’ syndrome. According to the specialist, a year later these schools saw that the results of the exact sciences began to double.

He believes that similar measures could be taken in Lithuania. “If tutors are expensive, there are cheaper options: hire teachers after school to work with the child long enough to teach,” he says.

He says that we must not forget the old methods, such as going out after school or for the second year, which are currently very rarely applied in Lithuania.

It is not enough to develop a single skill

Speaking of the changes, Sarafin says the math test results didn’t shake up all parts of the educational chain. Therefore, in his opinion, this situation can act as a good boost for both schools and students themselves, who often lack the motivation to learn.

“I imagine that parents who can hire tutors for their children to raise them at least in their later years with science.

At the same time, teachers will be able to increase the motivation of younger programs, which is also important, because it is always the most difficult for teachers, they are sad that they do not have the tools and means to increase the motivation of those who do not. they want to learn.

G.Sarafinas also emphasizes the fact that young people in Lithuania often develop only hard or soft skills, but not both together and this is not a welcome trend.

“Scientists say that people who know mathematics and are empathetic find themselves well in life and where they find help: they communicate well. That is, if our children, an important part of them, do not have a single ability, it will not be And with us, young people focus on you and are surprised that entrepreneurs do not value.

Researchers say that people who know math and are empathic find good help in life and where they find help: they communicate well.

Speaking to foreign scientists, they say that today there are two components: if you want to be a creator, you must be a creative person and know technology, but if the young people of our country consider themselves creative but do not know technology, I don’t know what they will create. “- G.Sarafin highlights the learning gaps of generation Y.

There is a lack of clear objectives on the part of decision makers

However, not everything depends on the students. The state and decision makers also play a key role, of which Sarafin lacks clear goals for what is to be achieved.

According to him, the goals and strategies in Lithuania have “gone”. For example, it is about decades and how we will see ourselves in international research, but there are no goals focused on concrete achievements, with precise deadlines.

“Next year, to get two-quarters of graduates to pass the math test and acquire the fundamentals of math,” gives an example of a clear goal. In this case, says the specialist, funds could be allocated, forcing universities and colleges to contribute to closing the gaps.

“If the state creates a tall sign, the goal is to dance for such a small amount of money and we help those kids. And even a year later we would see it work. Then even higher up the poster, then add other things, ”he thinks.

Speeches like “we are sad that such results”, “we are worried” are not enough, thinks Sarafin. And the excuse that such maturity tests could be predicted based on the results of this tenth grade test does not fundamentally change it. Because tenth grade test scores are still not improving, we shouldn’t justify it and destroy the reasons, he believes.

The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Algirdas Monkevičius, told BNS that due to the deterioration of the exam results, concrete measures will be taken from September: the content of education will be updated and the qualification of teachers will be improved. . However, in his words, even the current system allows many to achieve a good level of learning, and the huge gaps between student achievement are due to social and psychological nuances that are “related to the student’s environment.”