School reform in Vilnius may lead to the closure of the Belarusian gymnasium named after Skaryna

This could lead to the closure of the only Belarusian-language gymnasium in the Lithuanian capital, named after Francysk Skaryna, Reform.news writes.

“Studies and practice show: it is in primary grades that language is learned fastest. At the same time, a high concentration of newcomers in schools with Russian-language instruction complicates opportunities to improve Lithuanian language results — schools themselves point this out,” the Lithuanian politician wrote in his Facebook blog.

According to Vytautas Mitalas, the integration system is faltering.

“However, the problem is even deeper — our migration policy is no longer adapted to the current situation. Migration cannot be a process that simply happens. We are obliged to manage it,” he believes.

The Vice-Mayor of Vilnius is convinced that if a migrant decides to stay, they must fulfill clear integration obligations, the foundation of which is language.

“In recent years, much has been done in Vilnius to strengthen the learning of the Lithuanian language: the number of Russian-language groups in kindergartens is being reduced, bilingual education is being introduced, more and more schools teach subjects in Lithuanian, increase the number of Lithuanian language lessons, or open classes with Lithuanian-language instruction. I am very proud of the schools that, despite the lack of support from state educational policy, boldly undertake transformations. Therefore, I call on Vilnius schools with Russian-language instruction to enshrine the Lithuanian language in their statutes and demonstrate how quality education, integration, and the preservation of one's native language can be combined,” Vytautas Mitalas wrote.

If the decision is adopted by the Vilnius authorities, the activities of the only Belarusian-language gymnasium in the Lithuanian capital, named after Francysk Skaryna, will be jeopardized. This opinion was expressed to Reform.news by parents of children studying in this Belarusian-language educational institution.

As noted by one Belarusian who asked not to be named, up until 2020, the gymnasium was gradually transforming into an educational institution where Belarusians hardly studied, and the Belarusian language was practically not used. A new wave of political migration of Belarusians led to Belarusian children, who wanted to study in Belarusian, coming to the gymnasium.

“Finally, there are enough Belarusians in Lithuania. Finally, Belarusian started returning to Skaryna Gymnasium. Those who are already there will finish, and that’s it,” the interlocutor laments.

He believes that Belarusians are not a threat to Lithuania, and Belarusian-speaking Belarusians will only strengthen its security.

“But Belarusians should be given the opportunity to preserve their language at a time when they have finally turned to it. This ultimately contributes to Lithuania's security,” says the father of children attending Skaryna Gymnasium.

He believes that Lithuania should not forbid Belarusians from studying in their native language.

“We have the only such school in the world outside of Belarus. And at a time of an unprecedented situation within Belarus, to deprive Belarusians of the opportunity to study in their own language?”

In the comments to his post, Vilnius Vice-Mayor Vytautas Mitalas noted that there are opinions in the city council about the need to make an exception for the Polish language as one of the languages of the European Union.

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