We live and will continue to live in an age of knowledge and information. Already, on the internet, there is no discipline about which one cannot find information. As a consequence, it is conceivable that the purpose of secondary education must change. It is no longer about memorization and the demonstration of knowledge through a test or an exam. It is now about the ability to demonstarte thinking. Thinking critically and thinking creatively. A great education affords one the joy of discovery. It motivates one to experience more and often. It affords one the realization that everyone is different and to embrace difference. And, of course, that there are many ways of thinking, both critically and creatively and the questions they inspire; leading to answers and solutions that are diverse as they are unique.

An informed person with a personality, not just a grade on a piece of paper

The main task of secondary education is to prepare young people for lifelong learning and the ability to live independently in the adult world. This means not only having the necessary knowledge, understanding and comprehension but the capacity to apply such skills. These skills coinside with competences needed to cooperate with others, take a role in leadership, plan and organise activities, search, systematise, communicate, think critically and creatively, indeed learn throughout one‘s life. 

School and education must transcend into a place where collective thinking processes takes place. It needs to provide opportunities to solve problems of various levels and complexity. It needs to encourage creative thinking to apply knowledge and information, in finding solutions, whilst giving rise to new concepts and ideas.

A great education can assist in creating a great person with a great Personality. A person who is an active part of society, managing knowledge and abilities to achieve personal self-expression, have a positive outlook and influence on others whilst demonstrating awareness and respect for ones environment, beit local or global.

Why one should be worried when one hears “I don’t want to go to school”

Modern management theory has long proven that employee motivation is a managerial task. Sadly, at school, it tends to be the students fault that they underperform, very often through lack of engagement. Our aim is for teachers and parents is to perceive each and every child as an individual. A child with a complex personality that changes, evolves, matures and daily endures many personal and social challenges. Only by being attentive and inspiring, is it possible to exert a positive influence on children/young adults that motivates them to act, subsequently learn. The child must want to go to school and more often. One must hear that their day was interesting. One must also see desire in the child to learn more and more often. If the contrary happens, one should be concerned, as such demotivation tends to become a long-term problem. It leads to passivity that can take a long time to change. One needs to understand that every child learns in their own way, they may only absorb as much as the can or/and want. Without such consideration, any coercive action – forcing them to learn is not only ineffective, but also harmful to the child’s development, attitudes, and values. Learning has to be ejoyable.

What do the students of Erudito Licėjus think?

Geidė Sakalauskaitė, studying for an International Baccalaureate

I studied in several countries around the world, so I can compare different schools. An International Baccalaureate education is a big step toward my future. I learned to plan my time, to receive and absorb a continuous flow of information. Thanks to my wonderful teachers, I discovered history and physics.

A great education is the ability to think strategically and make independent and informed decisions. The available knowledge allows me to trust myself, see and accept things, finally evaluating them through the prism of science.

Rapolas Kazakevičius, studying for an International Baccalaureate

In Erudito Licėjus, apart from all the necessary knowledge, I learned useful skills for life, such as cooperation with others. How to complete a project faster. What was each employee’s best qualities? These questions had to be answered before starting work, which led to improvement. It was often necessary to assume a leadership position. There were difficult moments for me and others when I wanted to give up. But I realised that others just needed support and push in the right direction, so I started doing it. I loved it.