Lithuania

Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development

Primary school teachers (Grades 1 to 4) receive their education at a pedagogical university or at one of two teacher education colleges in Lithuania. Teacher education programs include courses in the subjects taught at the primary level, as well as general courses in pedagogy and psychology. Basic school teachers (Grades 5 to 10) receive their education either at a pedagogical university or at a general university, and complete professional teachers’ studies in addition to a bachelor’s degree.

Teacher Education Specific to Mathematics and Science

Science teachers who complete their education at a pedagogical university typically receive training in two subject areas (e.g., biology and chemistry, or physics and technology). Teachers are expected to teach the subjects in which they are educated. The majority of teachers in primary and basic schools are educated at the university level. A new regulation for teacher education introduced in 2010 has added emphasis and support to teacher preparation in various higher education institutions. During TIMSS 2015, teachers educated in the new system had just begun formal classroom practice. It is compulsory for teachers to finish higher education before starting work, to demonstrate competence in Lithuanian language (at the B2 level or higher) and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and to complete no fewer than 2 ECTS^a credits of coursework in special pedagogy and psychology.

Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development

Although the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Education 2011 stipulates that teachers should spend at least five days a year developing their competencies, there are no specific requirements for professional development in Lithuania.