According to the data of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (ŠMSM), 5 thousand people work in the country’s schools this school year. 271 teaching assistants – this is almost a thousand more than last academic year, when 4 thousand worked in schools. 280 teaching assistants. It is estimated that this is the largest increase of these employees to date.
“Although the provision of educational aid is an independent function of municipalities, the Ministry of Education and Culture consistently supports municipalities and increases the financing of educational aid in schools. Currently, state budget funds make up the largest part of the funding in this area – as much as 80 percent, but we would strongly encourage municipalities to allocate more funds for educational aid.
Higher funding means more professional education support specialists and teacher assistants in schools, more consultations for children and parents, more children with different abilities experiencing learning success”, said Ignas Gaižiūnas, advisor to the Minister of Education, Science and Sports in the report.
Financing of education aid with state funds from 2019. increased by 100 million EUR – from 61 million euros in 2019 up to the expected 162 million euros in 2024
According to the ministry, the increase in education aid funding is not only responsible for the increase in the number of teaching assistants. The number of other educational support specialists is also increasing: over 620 new educational support positions have appeared in the last few years (in 2019-2020 mm there were 3.6 thousand in educational institutions, in 2023-2024 mm – 4.2 thousand). This year’s planned funding will allow the establishment of about 200 new positions in schools.
Tags: Ministry thousand teaching assistants working countrys schools year
