Minority Schools at Risk

Public information has recently been notified about unsuccessful talks between the administration of the Trakai District Municipality and the Andrzej Stelmachowski Primary School in Senieji Trakai. The local government wants to transform the school into a branch of another institution to reorganize the unit. Unfortunately, this is not the only such situation. Longin Komołowski Middle School in Połuknia is a similar case. The schools are important centers for the Polish minority in the region; they have a long tradition and are an important cultural center for the local population. The community is very keen for the schools to survive and continue their educational activities.

The number of students at these two institutions exceeds 60. The schools provide teaching at various levels of education. The Resolution No. 768 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, “On the Approval of the Rules of the Establishment of the Network of Schools Implementing Formal Education Curricula,” stipulates the possibility of dissolution or reorganization of an institution when the number of students is equal to or less than 60 (p. 11) and provides for the possibility of classes smaller than 8 students if the basic program is taught in a national minority language (p. 25.7). These provisions apply to said schools, and the resolution protects just such entities from failing.

Lithuania is bound by the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorites. It was enforced on July 1, 2000. Its aim is also to protect such teaching institutions. The Convention states:

Article 5(2):

Without prejudice to measures taken in pursuance of their general integration policy, the Parties shall refrain from policies or practices aimed at assimilation of persons belonging to national minorities against their will and shall protect these persons from any action aimed at such assimilation.

Article 14(2):

In areas inhabited by persons belonging to national minorities traditionally or in substantial numbers, if there is sufficient demand, the Parties shall endeavour to ensure, as far as possible and within the framework of their education systems, that persons belonging to those minorities have adequate opportunities for being taught the minority language or for receiving instruction in this language.

According to the European Foundation of Human Rights, the actions of the Trakai District Municipality may lead to the violation of the above-mentioned rights. The schools are undoubtedly under the legal protection of Resolution No. 768 and the Convention. We express our concern about the conduct of the Local Government. We firmly believe that the authorities will decide in accordance with the law and appropriately for the school communities.

/Translated by Karolina Glaubitt within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights/