In the districts of Vilnius, Šalčininkai, Trakai, and Švenčionys, schools serving ethnic minorities and the only Lithuanian-language schools in their respective districts are permitted to reduce their enrolment
For high schools in the Vilnius, Šalčininkai, Trakai, and Švenčionys districts, where the language of instruction is that of a national minority, as well as high schools teaching in Lithuanian, if they are the only ones in the area, are permitted to reduce the number of students in final years from 12 to 8, starting in September, and the total number of students at the school may be fewer than 60. The final decision on reducing class sizes will be made by the municipal councils. The Government today approved these amendments to the School Network Regulations, which were submitted by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport.
In the spring of 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers authorised small-town high schools to form 11th and 12th grade classes provided that they have at least 12 students instead of 21, with the municipality contributing 50% of the educational funding. However, this change did not apply to schools for national minorities.
This decision would enable the aforementioned municipalities to maintain five 11th–12th grade classes in schools where instruction is in Lithuanian and three in schools where instruction is in Polish, starting in September.
As of September 1, in an effort to preserve small high schools in regional areas, schools providing secondary education will be allowed to have fewer than 60 students, regardless of the language of instruction. The School Network Regulations in effect since 2022 stipulated that a school, if it had 60 or fewer students remaining, could not operate as a separate legal entity and had to be merged to become a branch of another school. This exception will apply to schools where the language of instruction is that of a national minority, as well as to schools in the municipalities of Vilnius, Šalčininkai, Trakai, and Švenčionys districts, provided that such a school is the only one of its kind in that area.
Photo by Artūras Žukas
Last updated: 21-08-2026
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