There are a lot of on state and nonstate establishment of education. It comprise pre-school education establishments, comprehensive schools for children and juniors, vocational, college type schools, higher schools and schools for adults. In accordance with the Law on Education of the republic of Lithuania, attendance of comprehensive or other type of schools is compulsory for children till age of 16 inclusive.
Pre-school education means child care till 3 years of age and teaching 3-6 years old children according to special programs.
There are 3 stages of comprehensive schools: primary (1-4 classes), basic (5-9 classes) and secondary (10-12 classes).
New type of schools- gymnasiums which provide extended general educatiopn and higher requirements for pupils under the rapid establishment.
In special schools handicappes children and children with development defects are trained.
New types of schools appeared – schools for juniors, where pupils acquire general education and elementary work skills at the same time. These schools are attended by those, who either can not or do not want to learn in other types of schools.
General curriculum is thought in both vocational and college type education schools. Young people can acquire profession in vocational, college type and higher schools.
Vocational scool gives not only elementary proffesional qualification but also knowledge of comprehensive school level. Most often graduates from 9 classes study in vocational schools.
College type school trains specialists of higher professional skills to work in different fields of economic and social activity.
Higher schools provide specialists with the highest professional skills for research and other activity.
Non-state education establishments are formed by individuals or religious organizations. They acquire licenses issued by the ministry of education and science. The licenses guarantee that the said schools provide qualifications acknowledged by the state.
All five major cities in Lithuania now have their own universities.