Вильнюсская гимназия имени Франциска Скорины. Фото: skorinosgimnazija.lt
Vilnius Vice Mayor Vytautas Mitalas has submitted to the Vilnius City Council a proposal under which children of newly arrived foreigners would be admitted only to schools with Lithuanian-language instruction, starting from primary education. This could lead to the closure of the only Belarusian-language gymnasium in the Lithuanian capital, named after Francysk Skaryna.
“Research and practice show that language is acquired fastest in the early grades. At the same time, a high concentration of newcomers in schools with Russian-language instruction complicates efforts to improve Lithuanian language outcomes — something the schools themselves also point out,” the Lithuanian politician wrote on his Facebook blog.
According to Vytautas Mitalas, the integration system is stalling.
“However, the problem runs deeper — our migration policy is no longer adapted to the current situation. Migration cannot be a process that ‘just happens’. We are obliged to manage it,” he said.
The Vilnius vice mayor is convinced that if a migrant decides to stay, they must fulfill clear integration obligations, the foundation of which is language.
“In recent years, much has been done in Vilnius to strengthen the learning of the Lithuanian language: the number of kindergarten groups with Russian-language instruction is being reduced, bilingual education is being introduced, more and more schools are teaching subjects in Lithuanian, increasing the number of Lithuanian language lessons or opening classes with Lithuanian-language instruction. I am very proud of schools that, in the absence of support from state education policy, boldly undertake reforms. Therefore, I call on Vilnius schools with Russian-language instruction to enshrine the Lithuanian language in their statutes and show how quality education, integration and the preservation of the native language can be combined,” Vytautas Mitalas wrote.
If the decision is adopted by the Vilnius authorities, the operation of the only Belarusian-language gymnasium in the Lithuanian capital, named after Francysk Skaryna, could be under threat. This opinion was expressed to Reform.news by parents of children studying at the Belarusian-language institution.
“If the decision is adopted, Belarusians who have arrived and do not have citizenship will be prohibited from enrolling in Skaryna’s school,” said a Belarusian who asked not to be named.
Until 2020, the gymnasium had gradually been turning into an educational institution where Belarusians no longer studied and the Belarusian language was hardly used. A new political wave of Belarusian migrants led to Belarusian children coming to the gymnasium who wanted to study in Belarusian.
“Finally, there are enough Belarusians in Lithuania. Finally, Belarusian has started to return to Skaryna’s school. Those who are already there will finish their studies — and that’s it,” the interlocutor lamented.
He believes that Belarusians are not a threat to Lithuania, and that Belarusian-speaking Belarusians will only strengthen its security.
“But Belarusians must be given the opportunity to preserve their language at the moment when they have finally turned toward it. This ultimately contributes to the security of Lithuania as well,” said the father of children who attend “Skaryna’s school”.
He believes that Lithuania should not forbid Belarusians from studying in their native language.
“We have the only such school in the world outside Belarus. And at a moment of an unprecedented situation inside Belarus, to deprive Belarusians of the opportunity to study in their own language?” he asked rhetorically.
In the comments to his post, Vilnius Vice Mayor Vytautas Mitalas noted that there are opinions within the council about the need to make an exception for the Polish language, as one of the languages of the European Union.