2024-04-09 23:52:07
He also indicated that he would once again ask Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė to dismiss him from his position as a minister. The minister promises to deliver the second request soon.
“More than once, I had to take responsibility for decisions that I did not make myself. I don’t want to do that anymore, so today I publicly ask the Prime Minister to accept my resignation from the position of Minister of Education, Science and Sports,” said G. Jakštas.
He informed that on Monday he also received the resignation request of Deputy Minister Ramūnas Skaudius, which he accepted.
“Having implemented a large part of the intermediate inspection session, we admit that it was not smooth, and the provided safeguards were not sufficient. This was the first full-scale inspection session and it highlighted the flaws in the model, which unfortunately did not get us closer to the objective of the inspections.
First of all, the test tasks were prepared with insufficient quality, although authoritative members of the educational community worked on them. Also, the calendar and schedule of intermediate inspections turned out to be too difficult organizationally for part of the community.
At the same time, the updated educational programs caused additional anxiety regarding the preparation for inspections, the automated evaluation system also caused challenges,” said Minister G. Jakštas.
As a result, according to him, the Ministry itself and its members, as well as the National Education Agency (NŠA), took responsibility.
“Yesterday, I accepted the resignation of Deputy Minister R. Skaudius, who was responsible from the beginning for the model of intermediate inspections and its implementation. I respect his decision and position that the issue must be addressed with a new approach and energy, and I thank him for his work,” the minister said.
The formation of the new split examination was entrusted to the minister’s advisor Agne Liucila Grickeviča.
G. Jakštas already submitted his resignation request in March, he promises to deliver a new request to I. Šimonyta on Tuesday.
When asked how he envisions the work of the Ministry of Education and Culture going forward, G. Jakštas emphasized that the ministry and the entire education system are not built on one or two people.
“The Ministry, as an apparatus, will definitely be able to function successfully. We feel responsible for the decisions, which is why we made a summary, assessed what systematic mistakes were made and how they should be solved. Who will be the person who will continue to lead or adjust the decisions will depend on the Prime Minister’s decision,” assured G. Jakštas.
It is true that he did not predict whether the prime minister would grant his request this time, but he hinted that the decision to withdraw was also related to I.Šimonytė’s team.
“I just stated that it is not very possible for us to work under such conditions, because the Prime Minister’s team hinders more than it helps, and the work culture that comes from there is unacceptable for me personally and my team,” the minister explained.
Regarding mid-term inspections – news
G. Jakštas also announced the news about the intermediate inspections themselves – this year’s inspection session will be considered a pilot one.
“We will consider this year’s intermediate examination session as a pilot – the results achieved by eleventh-graders this year will be optional, and only at their own request will they be able to be included in the VBE final score,” said the head of ŠMSM.
ALGrickeviče also announced that the second intermediate tests of mathematics and the Lithuanian language, which are planned for the 12th grade, will not take place. According to her, students who did not participate in the intermediate examination this year will be given the opportunity to participate in the matriculation exam in full.
“For future generations of 11th graders, the model of the split exam will be fundamentally updated, which will eliminate problems and leave the possibility to pay part of the VBE in the 11th grade,” said ALGrickeviče.
Assessments that are part of the VBE will take place outside of the educational process, Year 11s will have the option to assess part of the content at the end of Year 11 and have a smaller assessment in Year 12, or a full assessment in Year 12.
“Together with Lithuanian language and literature teachers, we will evaluate and revise the speaking part of the Lithuanian language and literature test. We will also pay special attention to solving the problems of task preparation by creating three stages of task preparation,” added ALGrickeviče.
Also, according to her, the issue of lack of textbooks and educational materials will be resolved soon.
According to Minister G. Jakštos, currently about 90 percent of intermediate inspections have been implemented. The remaining three will take place in about 4 weeks.
“I think it is not appropriate to wait for the formal end of interim inspections – we can already summarize the results and draw the main conclusions, and, of course, take steps to correct the identified deficiencies,” he said.
2024-04-09 23:52:07