In Warsaw, the Lithuanian and Polish Ministers of Education discussed current issues in the education of national minorities
On June 16, Raminta Popovienė, Minister of Education, Science, and Sport, met with Barbara Nowacka, Poland’s Minister of Education, in Warsaw, and also attended the first meeting of the newly formed working group on the education of the Polish national minority in Lithuania and the Lithuanian national minority in Poland.
“Education of ethnic communities is an integral part of the strength of our region. It is education that builds bridges between countries and strengthens mutual trust; therefore, it is important that all decisions be made not behind closed doors, but through open dialogue and discussion with the communities. In today’s geopolitical context, education is becoming the essential foundation upon which we build societal resilience, critical thinking, and respect for democratic values. Our countries have proven time and again that even in the most difficult times, we are capable of acting in unity; therefore, it is our shared responsibility to work together towards a safer, more connected region. Every citizen of our country, regardless of their mother tongue, is an integral part of the state, which is why we strive to ensure that every child has equal opportunities to pursue the highest level of education while preserving their unique national identity,” Minister Popovienė emphasizes.
One of the most important issues discussed at the working group meeting was student achievement and the quality of education.
The situation regarding textbooks was also discussed during the group’s first meeting. Since 2023, 25 textbooks in Polish have been published in Lithuania for teaching computer science, mathematics, natural sciences, history, and other subjects. Development of Polish-language textbooks for elementary school students is currently in process.
It was noted that opportunities are available in Lithuania to obtain qualifications for teaching Polish language and literature. Funding from the “Tęsk: ateik, tobulėk, prisidėk!” project is intended to provide working teachers with the opportunity to acquire additional skills.
In Lithuania, students whose mother tongue is Polish have the opportunity to attend 59 general education schools in five municipalities. There are 5 schools offering formal Lithuanian language education and 3 institutions offering non-formal Lithuanian language education in Poland.
Last updated: 23-06-2026
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