Gordian knot in Druskienniki

Gordian knot – this sums up the current situation of Polish education in Lithuania, which was the subject discussed in Druskienniki by the Polish-Lithuanian Intergovernmental Commission on Education. It is chaired by Mirosław Sielatycki, the Secretary of State in the Polish Ministry of National Education, and the Deputy Minister of Education in Lithuania, Vaidas Bacys. The atmosphere in the floor is business-like, but the overall mood is quite pessimistic.

From the preliminary statements of the Lithuanian side comes the conclusion that they are open and ready for dialogue, however, they do not see any reason nor any need for changes in the law. Admittedly, Vaidas Bacys told “Wilnoteka” that ”it is important to meet more often, to exchange opinions, because the truth is born only in dialogue”. What more, he said: “I agree that when we accepted our resolutions, we didn’t explain everything very well. There is a need for talk, dialogue, meetings, we need to explain our ideas and solutions to the parents.”

It means that all is still the same. The law is good, great, but the parents do not understand its blessings. Nevertheless, the Polish side strives for concrete changes. The concrete objection was articulated: the law is worsens the situation of Polish education, destroys the Polish educational system (so far the best educational model in Europe) and it can lead to the liquidation of Polish schools in Lithuania.

Mirosław Sielatycki assured that the Polish side will firmly strive to obtain very concrete proposals of solutions. During the break between debates he joked: “We are in Druskienniki, which are famous for their healing waters, and our objective is to work out the healing means for this situation”.

The atmosphere in the conference room becomes thicker with every minute. We found out that, after few hours of debates, both sides still have various views on the issue. It is almost sure that on today’s meeting no concrete solutions, or even preliminary conclusions, are going to be worked out. Mirosław Sielatycki admitted during the debates: ”Such knots cannot be solved in one day, but I am happy that such team is working”.

It is already known that the debates will be continued. After one week, on  September 19th, the next meeting in Warsaw will take place, and probably the next ones will be necessary too.

From Druskienniki: Edyta Maksymowicz

http://wilnoteka.lt/pl/artykul/wezel-gordyjski-w-druskiennikach

Tłumaczenie Magdalena Jeż w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu Translated by Magdalena Jeż within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu

Korekta Monika Mroczek w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu Corrected by Monika Mroczek, as a part of vocational training in the European Foundation of Human Rights,  www.efhr.eu