Lithuanian MP Darius Jakavi膷ius intends to start a discussion on the issue of introducing a mandatory history exam or mandatory history lessons in grades 11 and 12. Minister of Education, Science and Sports Raminta Popoviene said that such a possibility is not currently being discussed.
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Lithuanian MP Darius Jakavi膷ius intends to start a discussion on the issue of introducing a mandatory history exam or mandatory history lessons in grades 11 and 12. Minister of Education, Science and Sports Raminta Popoviene said that such a possibility is not currently being discussed.
"Discussions about improving the quality of history teaching and increasing the level of student involvement in the subject are welcome and necessary. (...) However, it is important to emphasize that the introduction of an additional exam will lead to an increase in the volume of programs and the workload of students," the minister said.
"In the face of the current geopolitical situation, it is very important to instill historical knowledge, introduce people to the context of historical memory, educate critical thinking, patriotism, and civic consciousness. However, this is guaranteed not only by the presence of a history exam. (...) These topics are also included in civic education classes, Lithuanian language and literature," Popovien臈 added. Social Democrat Jakavi膷ius said last week that he intends to initiate a discussion about a mandatory history exam or at least mandatory history study in grades 11 and 12.
Jakavi膷ius cited the lack of critical thinking among young people, which was noticed after the adoption of the law on de-Sovietization, as the reason for such a proposal. According to the National Education Agency, 10,400 11th-grade students and 10,000 12th-grade students will take the history exam this year.