Now the education system in Lithuania is in the process of reorganization and reforms. Some new kinds of education, such as profile education, for example, are introduced. Compulsory education is also being reorganized. Pre-school Education The basic type of pre-school education in Lithuania is so called kindergarten, which is more or less similar to day care centers. The kids of 3-5 years old are brought to kindergarten where they have opportunity to begin primary learning and develop their skills. Besides playing and sleeping, some educational activities are present such as drawing, musical classes etc. It lasts until children reach the age of 6 and go to the primary school. The situation concerning kinder gardens is a little bit complicated. After the independence in 1990 some state kindergartens were closed because of economical and demographic situation. Some parents could not afford to let their children to attend kindergarten or in rural areas with small population kindergartens were empty because there were no enough children to make groups. Situation remains the same today. But now new problems arise. The increase of births created the situation when there is limited number of kinder gardens. Some parents have to wait in order to let their kids to kindergarten. Primary Education The primary education starts from 6 years. Four years of education has to prepare pupils for studies in secondary school or gymnasium. During these four years the basic knowledge of language, math, geography, and arts is given in order to make children compatible and able to face more intensive amounts of data. Primary education is already a part of compulsory education. Compulsory Education According to the Lithuanian laws every kid must study at least nine or ten years or until he or she reaches the age of 16. If they do not study till they are 16, their parents can be prosecuted and punished. Five years of education gives knowledge of native and foreign languages, mathematics, physics, chemistry, history, biology, geography, arts, such as drawing and music, ideological education such as ethics and faith lessons etc. Now this king of education is to be reorganized. Instead of five years, six years will be introduced. Vocational Training After finishing nine or ten years in the school pupils have to choose whether they continue studying and preparing for studies in Universities or other kinds of high schools, or continue studies in order to get some kind of profession in vocational training schools. The professions mostly are workers both industrial and agriculture. Also one can study music and gain the secondary education and profession simultaneously. This kind of option is present in agriculture or industrial training schools, too. Secondary Education After finishing nine or ten years the exams of language and math must be passed. Then, two or three years of studying in order to prepare for studies at university begin. Lessons are to repeat the knowledge gained during the period of compulsory studies with additional material. The newest reforms are profile education where pupils have to choose the direction of future studies. For example if one is going to study math, additional lessons are organized in order to give more knowledge on chosen subjects while other subjects are not so important. In does not mean that music or languages will be neglected or taken away. This system allows developing the specific skills of pupils and better preparing for future studies. During this period the state exams of history, math, foreign and native languages must be passed to get a diploma. The continuous studies in University are impossible without this diploma. University There are more than 10 universities in Lithuania, so students have quite good opportunities to study what they want. Here the system is quite similar to European one. Student has to collect more than 40 credits per year for all the courses he or she takes. To enter the university either the results of secondary school are needed to be given to the commission or entering exams must be passed; or both are needed to be. The bachelor degree requires 4 years of studying, but there are some exceptions, for instance law: 5 years and medicine: 6 years. The education according to the Constitution of Republic of Lithuania is free, but universities introduced their own rules concerning fees for studies in order to receive additional money, because it is very hard to survive receiving government money only. There is couple of systems regarding fees. One is on the base of entering. The Government funds some seats, so these people who are at the top of the list and taking these seats do not have to pay while others pay quite large sums. The rotation principle was abolished. The main idea of rotation is that government subsidizes some seats and students are put on the list according to their results. Those who take these free seats do not have to pay and even receive a little scholarship. Every semester the list is renewed and some students who achieved better results do not pay. These principles create compatibility among students and sometimes are the reason of conflicts, so it was abolished. Speaking in general terms, Lithuanian education systems have to be improved very much, because now a lot of misunderstandings occur. Sometimes teachers go striking, but pupils and students are casualties of system mistakes. Here you can read an article about student life in Lithuania.