We are appalled by the sudden interruption that took place on 14th July 2017 in the recruitment for the Polish language – teacher studies at the Vilnius University of Educational Sciences, preventing registration in the LAMA BPO system in the statutory fixed term until 5pm on 19th July 2017.

We perceive this as an attempt to abolish the oldest performing language at the Vilnius University of Educational Sciences after more than 55 years of teaching mother language (Polish) teachers.

This action constitutes as a recession of European rights of national minorities, including the right to prepare specialists for teaching mother language.

We are protesting against an unilateral decision that was not previously consulted neither with the Association of Poles in Lithuania nor with the Association of Polish Schools Teachers in Lithuania "Macierz Szkolna” nor with the Polish community in Lithuania.

We turn to the highest authorities of Lithuania demanding the restoration of education opportunities for young people to study in the field of pedagogy - Polish studies - at the Vilnius University of Educational Sciences, without restricting the possibility of preparing native language teachers to work in Polish schools in Lithuania.

Michal Mackevič

Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
President of the Association of Poles in Lithuania

Juzef Kvetkovskij
President of the Association of Polish Schools Teachers in Lithuania "Macierz Szkolna”