The Goal of the National Minority School Principal - to Teach Children to Live in Lithuania
Principal Konsuela Liaskovskaja emphasizes the importance of strengthening the Lithuanian language and maintaining ongoing dialogue among students, teachers, and parents in her school.
Konsuela Liaskovskaja, the principal of the "Žara" Gymnasium in Vilnius, is dedicated to teaching children from various ethnic backgrounds to successfully live in Lithuania by focusing on enhancing their Lithuanian language skills. This approach is supported by continuous dialogue among students, teachers, and parents, which has led to notable success in language competitions. The school's students have been excelling in Lithuanian language and literature Olympiads, thereby validating Liaskovskaja's educational strategies.
Having decided to become a teacher in sixth grade, Liaskovskaja has spent over thirty years working at her alma mater, the "Žara" Gymnasium, which serves as a crucial educational institution for the local community. Located in the New Vilnia microdistrict of Vilnius, the gymnasium is the only school offering education in the Russian language in the area, reflecting the unique cultural dynamics of the community. The student body comprises children of diverse ethnicities, including Russians, Belarusians, Poles, Roma, Armenians, Azerbaijanis, and Ukrainians, showcasing the school's role in promoting multicultural education.
Liaskovskaja acknowledges the challenges faced by students from minority backgrounds as they navigate their identity in a foreign cultural context. Under her leadership, the gymnasium aims to not only improve students' proficiency in the Lithuanian language but also foster a sense of belonging among minority students, thus preparing them for integration and success within Lithuanian society. This educational philosophy aligns with broader societal goals of inclusivity and cultural dialogue in Lithuania, making the "Žara" Gymnasium a pivotal institution in the community.