„I have not heard of the issue of handing over Lithuanian schools, currently under the ministry's governance, to local authorities being considered either by the government or individual political groups. There's a proposal for the amendment of the law registered but I believe the ministry will give its negative review and will call on the government to do so as well,“ the minister told journalists at the Seimas on Tuesday.
„I think there are too many worried people, they are stressed out and this is why this status quo in the balance of Lithuanian and non-Lithuanian schools should be preserved for some time,“ Pavalkis said.
Usually, education institutions in Lithuania are established by local municipalities. However, if representatives of ethnic minorities have a majority in a local council, Lithuanian schools used to be established by counties.
Following the county reform, Lithuanian schools were placed under the governance of the Ministry of Education and Science despite attempts by the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania to have them handed over to local municipalities.
Figures from the 2011 census show that Lithuanians make 59 percent of the population in Vilnius Region, followed by Poles (23 percent) and Russians (10 percent).
