The Lithuanian Minister of Education, R. Popovienė, has acknowledged that the current scholarship program for students studying pedagogy is not effectively incentivizing them to pursue teaching careers. Although the scholarships are available, only about two-thirds of the students who receive them end up working in schools. This disparity suggests that merely offering a financial incentive is inadequate, prompting the Minister to propose a more targeted approach.

The ministry is working with social partners to develop a new plan that will involve refining financial support for pedagogy students, introducing a student-intern model, and enhancing mentorship for young teachers. These initiatives aim to create a more supportive environment not just financially, but also in terms of professional security and psychological safety at work. The overarching goal is to attract and retain a greater number of young teachers in Lithuanian schools.

In her statements, Minister Popovienė emphasized that while financial assistance is beneficial, it needs to be complemented by broader support systems to foster a conducive teaching environment. This holistic approach aims to ensure that financial incentives translate into sustainable employment for educators, thereby addressing the ongoing challenge of teacher shortages in the country.