The new school year is kicking off in Lithuania on Friday amid tensions over teachers' plans to go on strike if the government fails to raise their salaries.
Traditionally, the country's leaders are expected to show their attention to the education community on the first day of the new school year.
"On the occasion of the start of the new school year, I congratulate each and every one of you: those who have studied, are studying, are teaching, or have ever taught others," Education, Science and Sport Minister Gintautas Jakštas said in his congratulatory message.
However, some teachers are planning to stage a warning strike in mid-September and hold a "real strike” if no deal on their demands is reached by the end of the month.
The strike plans have been announced by the Lithuanian Education Employees' Trade Union, led by Andrius Navickas, which demands a 20 percent increase in teachers' pay from September and a further 30 percent rise from January, and a reduction in class sizes.
The Lithuanian Education and Science Trade Union, led by Egidijus Milešinas, has also announced the union’s intention to strike.
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On the eve of September 1, Jakštas said his ministry was planning to consult lawyers on the legality of the planned strike.
Preliminary figures show nearly 344,000 students enrolled in more than 900 general education schools for the new school year, some 500 fewer than in the previous school year.
The number of first-graders is estimated at 28,900, down from 31,200 last year.
The number of higher education students totals around 90,000, including almost 18,000 first-year students, based on August data.
Over 24,000 students have been enrolled in initial vocational training programmes.
More than 26,000 teachers will work in general education schools this year, and around 6,000 in universities and colleges.
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