Andruszkiewicz says to American diplomats: We do not agree to standardized Lithuanian languageexams

American diplomats visited Šalčininkai District Municipality on 30 July. According to information issued by the local government of Šalčininkai, among those who came to Šalčininkai were: ambassador’s Economic and Political Adviser Jonathan Herzog, the Political Specialist Renata Dromantaitė and the trainee Nicole Kuruszko.

The aim of this visit was to see what had been happening in the region. “Šalčininkai District Municipality is a multinational and multicultural region of Lithuania. We are loyal Lithuanian citizens but some politicians have various interpretations of our activities. We are a national minority and not a national community so we are entitled to particular rights. We do not agree to standardization of Lithuanian language exam because there are 700 hours less of Lithuanian language lessons in schools of national minorities than in Lithuanian schools. The standardized exam has negative effects on students’ results. A score from that exam also influences the decision whether a student is accepted to a university or not”, says the Deputy Mayor.

Andruszkiewicz told the guests about bilingual street name plates and problems with restitution of land. “We do not agree to restrict a mother tongue in a public space. We think that bilingual street name plates do not bother anybody”, says the member of the local government.

The Deputy Mayor was pleased to announce to the guests that the region benefits from European funds. Thanks to them the region has been becoming more beautiful.

During the meeting Šalčininkai District Municipality was represented by the Deputy Mayor Andrzej Andruszkiewicz, the Deputy Director of Administration Beata Pietkiewicz, the Starosta (the administrative official) of Šalčininkai Municipality Grzegorz Jurgo and the Youth Coordinator Jekaterina Gryniewicz.

Guests from the ambassy also met with the MP Leonardem Talmontem.