Education and Science, Labour Unions, Lithuania

Hundreds of school students and dozens of teachers gathered outside the ministry's building in the old town before noon to state their disapproval of the longer academic year and marched to the government building afterwards.

The campaign was organized by the Trade Union of Lithuanian Education Workers. Its chairman Andrius Navickas delivered a paper bird to Education and Science Minister Jurgita Petrauskiene who walked outside ministry to meet the protesters.

"Let's not allow to lock our children in thermal flasks, the cages that are absolutely unattractive in the summer, and we would want the education process to be organized in an entirely different way," said Navickas.

The critics of the idea of a longer academic year said the duration should not be a priority task in the efforts of improving the quality of education.

The Education and Science Ministry has listed longer duration of academic year among the measures of improving the achievements of students. Petrauskiene said the plan was to extend the academic year by 10-15 days for now.

The proposal to extend the academic year is part of the government's plan of actions.