Lithuania Aims to Remove Russian Language from Schools by 2026

Lithuania may gradually phase out Russian as a second foreign language in schools by 2026, citing changing student preferences and geopolitical issues.

The Gaze writes about it, referring to LRT.

In particular, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sport Jonas Petkevičius said on Wednesday, 23 July, that discussions will be held with both the Seimas Committee on Education and Science and the public on the possible removal of Russian from the school curriculum as a second foreign language.

‘We are monitoring trends and will certainly consider the possibility of removing Russian as a second foreign language,’ he said.

He also noted that in recent years, the number of students choosing to study Russian has decreased significantly. However, Petkevičius cautioned that when making a decision, it is necessary to take into account the availability of qualified teachers of alternative languages, especially in rural areas.

‘We see more teachers of German and French, but we still feel a shortage of Spanish teachers. What is the point of removing Russian if we have nothing to replace it with? Children are required to learn a second foreign language in accordance with the curriculum. Therefore, this must be a carefully considered, comprehensive decision,’ he added.

Darius Jakavičius, a member of the Seimas Committee on Education and Science, proposed that this change take effect in September 2026.

He believes that now is ‘a favourable moment to take advantage of the geopolitical situation’ and replace Russian with a European Union language. 

‘I believe that we need to find a solution and, from 1 September 2026, prohibit fifth or sixth grade students – depending on when their schools choose a second foreign language – from choosing Russian,’ he said.

The broadcaster added that, according to the Ministry of Education, the percentage of sixth-grade students choosing Russian as their second foreign language has fallen sharply in recent years: from 81.7% in the 2014–2015 academic year to only 43.5% in 2024–2025.

Back in February 2023, former Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė spoke in favour of replacing Russian as a second foreign language in schools with Polish or Latvian.

In November 2022, the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science announced plans to introduce a rule from the 2026/2027 academic year whereby the second foreign language in all educational institutions can only be one of the EU languages or a foreign language whose teaching is regulated by intergovernmental agreements in the field of education.