The National Agency for Education (NŠA) in Lithuania is currently investigating its Pedagogical Staff Department director, Nijolė Valikonė, after she publicly addressed complaints regarding Renaldas Čiužas's conduct. Valikonė, who has confirmed that the investigation is a result of her speaking out to the media, claims she is being penalized for discussing findings from a commission's investigation into Çiužas's allegedly inappropriate behavior.

The report regarding Çiužas’s conduct surfaced in November when the news portal '15min' revealed that NŠA had initiated an internal inquiry into the deputy director, faced with accusations of psychological abuse, mobbing, and sexual harassment made by several agency employees. The staff urged immediate action against Çiužas and called for his suspension, highlighting a troubling workplace culture within the agency which could reflect broader issues in education governance.

This investigation raises significant questions about workplace ethics and the protection of whistleblowers in Lithuania. Valikonė's case is emblematic of the challenges faced by individuals who seek to bring attention to misconduct, as they risk facing retaliation for challenging the status quo. As the situation develops, the findings and outcomes of the commission's investigation will likely have implications for policy and practices within the NŠA and beyond, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic reforms in how such cases are handled.