The project team that developed this report would like to thank the Lithuanian Government, under the leadership of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Science, for their support and contributions. In particular, the team would like to thank former Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Dr. Jurgita Šiugždinienė, as well as Deputy Ministers Dr. Ramūnas Skaudžius, Dr. Agnė Kudarauskienė. The project team is also thankful to the Committee of Education and Science of Parlament of Lithuania (Seimas), in particular – Akad. Prof. Habil. Dr. Artūras Žukauskas and Habil. Dr. Prof. Vilija Targamagzė.
This report was developed in co-operation with the National Agency for Education, whose staff provided valuable guidance and direction. We are indebted to the support and insights of the Director of the Agency, Rūta Krausauskienė, the Deputy Director, Dr. Asta Ranonytė, data specialist Eglė Melnikė, and International Co-operation Specialist Justas Paulikas.
We are very grateful to the officials and education experts from the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and Non-governmental organisations who have oriented and guided the OECD team. We would also like to thank the officials and experts who graciously shared their insights and knowledge with us during the workshops and meetings during the project team’s visit to Vilnius, in particular, Advisor to Minister of Education, Science and Sport Ignas Gaižiūnas, Arminas Varanauskas, Head of Department of Education at Ministry of Education, Science and Sport Jolanta Navickaitė, Head of the Qualifications and Development Unit at KPMPC, Lina Vaitkute, and teacher at Vilnius Private Gymnasium Klaudijus Melys.
We would also like to extend our thanks to all the directors-general, section heads, specialists, associate specialists, teachers and students from the Centre for Quality of Assessment in Higher Education, Qualifications and Vocational Education and Training Development Centre, Lithuanian Rector Confederation, Lithuanian Principal Association, Lithuanian National Union of Students. We are also grateful to the students and teachers of Kauno Maironio universitetinė gimnazija for hosting our workshop and the translators who volunteered to support us during the workshop.
The OECD project team was led by Hannah Kitchen and Camilla Stronati (Above and Beyond: Transitions in Upper Secondary Education, OECD Secretariat), and also included Lena Gray (AQA, United Kingdom), Malgorzata Kuczera (VET and Adult Learning team, OECD Secretariat). The review team thanks Andreas Schleicher, Director, and Paulo Santiago, Head of the Policy Advice and Implementation Division, for their support and contributions. Daiana Torres Lima, Marika Prince and Caio Passos Newman provided administrative support and oversaw the publication process and Susan Copeland edited the report.