Vilnius is celebrating today - 125 schools in the capital have officially started the new school year. As many as 65 thousand schools opened their doors this year. schoolchildren, of which about 6,5 thousand first graders Barboras Radvilaitė pro-gymnasium received 87 first-graders this year. They and the entire school community with more than 800 students were congratulated today on the occasion of the beginning of the school year by the mayor of the city of Vilnius who visited the school Remigius Šimašius.
"Today is a big holiday and I want to congratulate you all on it. I want to wish all children that you fulfill the trust of your parents, I wish parents to trust their children when sending them to schools. And I wish the teachers enthusiasm and creativity, perseverance to achieve the set goals and cooperation. I wish you a good year and congratulate you on your return to a school that is becoming more and more beautiful and better every year", the mayor congratulated the school community.
Barboras Radvilaitė's pro-gymnasium stands out from other educational institutions with enhanced information technology (IT) education - here computer science is taught from the first grade. Senior students are taught IT not only by teachers, but also by representatives of educational partners, the school boldly combines the teaching of several subjects, strengthening the learning of mathematics and arts, mathematics and informatics.
The past four years Vilnius city municipality together with educational institutions, achieved a lot in improving the education system in the capital. Municipal funding in Vilnius has doubled since 2015, a full-day education model for elementary school students has been implemented, a record number of educational institutions have been organized, FabLab workshops have been established with joint efforts, and the initiative of microcomputers for fifth graders has been implemented together with partners. A mentoring program for new managers has also been implemented, and a continuing education academy for deputy school principals is underway.
The most important directions of Vilnius education policy for the years 2019-2023, planned together with educational institutions, will also bring a lot of innovations. The administration of the capital strives to keep the teaching of exact, natural sciences (STE(A)M) subjects as a priority, so that practical teaching experiences enable students to better use the acquired knowledge, help to connect the teaching of different subjects. The transfer of lessons to non-traditional urban spaces will continue to be encouraged: schools are invited to organize activities exploring the city's history, natural and cultural environment, use museum education and other alternatives for learning about urban spaces - both independently and using opportunities offered by partners.
In order to improve the well-being of students, schools are encouraged to create positive, trust-based relationships between students, teachers, parents and administration. Schools are also invited to improve students' physical activity not only by improving the educational process taking place in classes, but also by ensuring the conditions for regular physical activity, linking students' independent sports, participation in non-formal education activities. It is planned to implement the Icelandic experience of organizing non-formal education, when a child is given the opportunity to engage in a chosen sport four or more times a week.
