Two gymnasiums will be connected in Varėna district: they are separated by 50 km

Valkininkai high school and Merkina Vincas Krevė high school are separated by 50 kilometers.

A challenge arose during the formation of the third and fourth classes of high schools: not enough students are collected for the high schools to function independently.

“Even in 2022 in the meeting with the Minister of Education, Science and Sports, we expressed concern regarding the formation of the third grades of high school in Valkininkai and Merkina V. Krevė high schools. in 2023 we applied to the Association of Lithuanian Municipalities with a proposal to review the Government’s resolution on school network rules.

Unfortunately, just before the new year, changes to the above-mentioned resolution were approved, so that when forming III and IV high school classes, a requirement related to the number of students must be applied: the maximum number of students is 30, the minimum number of students is 21. stated requirements, it is recommended to combine or connect the schools to other schools”, said the mayor of the district, Algis Kašėta.

According to him, meetings were held with high school communities, and the most rational solutions were sought.

After discussions, it was decided that these two high schools will be merged. With the establishment of a joint gymnasium with two branches, the III and IV gymnasium classes will be able to be formed smaller – up to 12 students.