Ministry: Early education would cost an additional $ 45 million. no child would be sitting on benches



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“Early education has been debated for many years. In 2016, public consultations were held with parents and other social partners.

Opinions vary, but data from the International Student Achievement Survey (PISA, PIRLS) shows that children who have participated in a quality institutional education for at least one year before attending school have higher skills in mathematics and reading in a year of formal education than those who did not. , – in response 15 minutes taught by J.Urbanovič.

Luke April / 15min photo / Jolanta Urbanovič

Luke April / 15min photo / Jolanta Urbanovič

According to OECD research, quality early childhood education is a means of reducing poverty and leaving the education system, he noted.

“Therefore, a child’s first year is a time when educational measures can more effectively support children’s development and eliminate observed problems. This is especially relevant in Lithuania, where one in five children from 0 to 5 years old they live in conditions of social exclusion and poverty ”, commented the deputy minister.

The trends in previous education, according to her, are notable in all the countries of the European Union; in some cases, compulsory education begins at 3, 4 or 5 years.

“And primary education usually starts at 6 years old,” said J. Urbaničč, adding that both the OECD and other international organizations recommend that Lithuania start the beginning of compulsory education after assessing the status of student achievement and the impact of social exclusion on them.

Parents, when they talk about pre-raising offspring, say that the deputy minister is often concerned about whether they will have a childhood or not be sitting on the benches in a few years. J.Urbanovič assured that no.

A specific program for six-year-olds will be established.

“It should be said right away that after early education, six-year-olds would not be studying under the current first-grade program, which focuses on seven-year-olds. A program for six-year-olds would be prepared for them, and the forms of education were chosen accordingly: not to sit on the benches, but to move more, learn through games, interactive activities ”, explained the deputy minister.

Preschool education generally begins for children who have reached the age of six, although, at the parents’ discretion, five-year-olds may also attend classes.

“Even now, both six- and five-year-olds come to preschool groups, mostly those born in the first half of the year. Currently, almost 8% attend preschool groups. Five-year-olds, a a year later they begin to attend first class too, ”said J. Urbanovic.

However, if it is decided to advance the education of all children by one year, this should be done in advance by adapting the preschool and primary education curricula for younger children, giving teachers time to prepare to work with older children. small and creating learning spaces in schools and kindergartens for younger children. that is, learning would occur by incorporating more elements of play, finding space for children to rest.

All these measures, according to calculations made in 2018, would require 45 million. – said the Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports.

In the past, according to her, there were ideas to introduce compulsory preschool education, although according to the decision of the municipalities, this can be applied even now.

“In 2020, it is intended for 60 children,” Urbanovich said.

And overall, according to her, 92 percent now attend preschool institutions. children of this age.

On the president’s desire to promote the education of children favorably representatives of both the opposition and the position in the Seimas responded. It is true that it is doubtful that this will legitimize the end of the Seimas.



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