Primary education

According to the Law on Education, children who have reached seven years of age must attend the 1th form. If a child is sufficiently mature to study under the primary education programme, they can start school earlier upon the parents’ request. 

The duration of the primary education programme is four years. Compulsory primary education can be obtained in kindergarten-schools, in primary schools and, less commonly, in basic or secondary schools. Parents and children can also choose schools of non-traditional education or individual classes/groups in municipal schools. Montessori, Waldorf, Suzuki or Jesuit pedagogical systems can be selected in Lithuania.

Achievements and progress of pupils in the 1st-4th forms are not assessed with marks. Assessment is based on the idiographic principle, i.e. the individual child’s progress made with regard to their personality is assessed and criteria-referenced assessment is applied. 

Children who attend schools for national minorities start learning Lithuanian (official language) from the 2nd form.