The data, released by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, show a steady year‑on‑year retreat: 76.4% in 2021/22, 68.4% in 2022/23, 54% in 2023/24 and 43.5% in the current school year. A decade ago the rate exceeded 81%.
“Choosing Russian remains voluntary, but in the current geopolitical climate the downward trend will likely deepen,” Education, Science and Sport Minister Raminta Popovienė told BNS.
This year, 108 schools reported no sixth‑grader studying Russian, a reversal from last year when the language was still selected in those institutions. From 2024 Russian was removed from the list of mandatory foreign‑language options in upper‑secondary schools, and the state final exam will be discontinued in 2025.
Teachers are also shifting course. Under an EU‑funded program, 48 Russian‑language teachers retrained in 2023/24, most opting for German (12), French or speech therapy (11 each), special pedagogy (10), mathematics (2), and—individually—Polish and biology. The project now prioritizes Russian teachers seeking new qualifications.
The ministry said earlier phases of the scheme focused on other languages, but rising demand from Russian‑language staff prompted the change.
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Source: TVP Wilno, BNS