A February analysis commissioned by the National Education Agency reveals that Lithuania is on track to experience a shortage of more than 4000 teachers over the next five years. The problem is exacerbated by a high turnover rate: almost half of new teachers leave the profession within their first few years. This alarming trend poses a significant threat not only to the teaching workforce but also to the quality of education in Lithuania. The insights provided by Vytauto Didžiojo University emphasize the urgency of addressing this issue before it culminates in a critical educational crisis.

Additionally, Lithuania's performance in the international PISA assessments indicates that fifteen-year-olds in the country have seen stagnant results compared to their peers globally, maintaining a ranking of 20th in Europe. This situation contrasts sharply with neighboring countries, such as Latvia at 13th, Poland at 6th, and Estonia in first place. The stagnation of student achievement is concerning and suggests that the education system in Lithuania may not be meeting the needs of its learners, which can further hinder efforts to attract and retain qualified teachers in the profession.

One potential reason for both the teacher exodus and student performance stagnation is the inadequate culture of collaboration within schools. Experts argue that enhancing collaboration among educators could lead to better support systems for teachers, which would ultimately benefit students too. Hence, tackling the issues of teacher retention and improving student outcomes may require a systematic evaluation of the working culture in Lithuanian schools, thereby fostering a more engaged and committed educational environment.