There are 13 gymnasiums in the Šalčininkai district which are in the responsibility of Šalčininkai district government. 8 of them are Polish.
A few weeks ago an inauguration of the Adomo Mickevičiaus gymnasium in Dieveniškės took place. As Danuta Anichovska, the principal of the gymnasium, said, it is a special event for the local community. 'The school has been functioning for more than 80 years; it is the centre of culture of the town. And now we finally reached our aim and the secondary school has been transformed into a gymnasium. It is a huge success, but also a challenge,' said the principal.
School of more than 80-year history
The beginnings of education in Dieveniškės dates back to the 19th century. A two-year school with the Russian teaching language was opened here in 1866, in the times of tsarist annexation. A new seven-year school under the name of Adam Mickiewicz was built in 1926-1928. It was managed by Włodzimierz Soroko. The teaching was conducted in the Polish language until 1939. After the war, the language of instruction was Russian, and later - also Lithuanian. First Polish class was created in 1952.
Polish has been the only instruction language of the school since 2000.
Mayor of the Šalčininkai district Zdzislav Palevič stressed, that the school had to try hard to get the gymnasium status. 'I would like to wish all the best to the Adomo Mickevičiaus gymnasium in Dieveniškės. Let's witness new successes of the school!' said the mayor.
Special school with the Polish language
The government of the Šalčininkai district administrates 33 educational establishments, i.e. 13 gymnasiums, 6 basic schools, 1 special school, 2 multifunctional centres, 1 universal centre, and 10 kindergartens.
Children with special needs, learning according to special programs, also have the possibility to be taught in their native language. The special school in Šalčininkai is the only such school in Lithuania, where teaching is conducted in Polish. The school is attended by children from Šalčininkai and Vilnius districts. The total number of children with developmental disorders in Šalčininkai district accounts for more than 70. Day Centre for People with Development Disorders 'Vilties Spindulėlis' in Šalčininkai also takes care of them.
Education as a priority
Education is a priority concern of the district. 50 percent of the district budget is allocated for the educational needs each year. This year it was more than 12 million euros (51,3 percent).
Education establishments are being renewed and enriched with modern teaching aids all the time. There are fully equipped computer rooms in every school. Most schools also have gyms, day-rooms, and canteens. A few new sports fields were developed thanks to the activities of school communities, participation in various projects. According to the government, the total cost of renovations amounted to almost 6 million euros.
Help from Poland
The Association 'Polish Community' has been supporting Polish educational establishments in the Šalčininkai district for almost 20 years. Communities of educational establishments are very grateful for the help, thanks to which a lot of necessary and important renovations of schools and dormitories were carried out.
Thanks to the Association 'Polish Community', teachers form the Šalčininkai district have the possibility to improve their skills, while students can have meaningful vacations - more than 500 children from the district travelled to Poland this year.
M. Balinskio Gymnasium on the top
For several years Polish schools from the Šalčininkai district have been ones of the best in the 'Best school - best teacher' contest organized by the Association of Polish Schools Teachers in Lithuania 'Macierz Szkolna' (Polish Educational Society). M. Balinskio Gymnasium in Jašiūnai was among the top four schools-winners for the second year in a row.
This year Šalčininkai Jano Sniadeckio Gymnasium was among distinguished schools of district towns. It was also listed as distinguished for activities in contests and olympiads conducted by 'Macierz Szkolna' and for receiving podium places in contests at home and abroad. In the category of distinguished district schools were Butrimoniai Anos Krepštul Gymnasium and Baltoji Vokė Elizos Ožeskovos Gymnasium (it was one of the winners in 2013). It has to be mentioned, that Šalčininkėliai (Šalčininkai district) Primary School was among distinguished primary schools too. Moreover, 17 pedagogues from the Šalčininkai district were among 77 distinguished teachers.
Ones of the best
Polish gymnasiums of the Šalčininkai district were also listed in the newest ranking of best gymnasiums published by the Lithuanian magazine 'Reitingai' (Ratings). These were the Šalčininkai district Jašiūnai M. Balinskio Gymnasium and Eišiškės Gymnasium. The list was drawn up on the basis of the results of the state final examinations taken by school graduates this year. Both institutions have been evaluated in the category of best preparation of graduates for the chemistry exam. The Balinskio Gymnasium was on the 1st place , while Eišiškės Gymnasium - on 4th and 5th places.
High level of education and improvement of equipment in Polish schools of the district, renovations, possibilities of taking part in Polonia camps and educational stays in Poland, developing cooperation with partner schools, the opportunity to study in Poland - all these contributes to the increase in the number of pupils in Polish schools of the Šalčininkai district and enhances their prestige and competitiveness.
"This project is co-financed from the funds granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland."
