Education Policy

On December 18, 2025, the Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI) invited Lithuania’s education community to discuss why ethical judgment matters in a fast-changing, digital world—and why ethics and civic responsibility are essential. The conversation took place during the awards ceremony for Lithuania’s national ethics competition for 7th–8th graders, “Beside Me: Another Person”, hosted by Vytautas Magnus University (VDU).

Artificial intelligence is here — and it has arrived in the classroom. What was once considered science fiction has become a reality. Students use tools like ChatGPT, DeepL, or other resources to gather information, complete assignments, or revise texts. But how is AI changing everyday school life? What is needed to turn technological hype into meaningful educational progress?

The Minister of Education has announced his intention to introduce compulsory pre-school education for children aged three in Slovakia. The Ministry has published only one press release to defend this blanket and mandatory measure. It contains a number of inaccurate claims that do not stand up to critical debate. In this text, I will describe three reasons why the proposed expansion of compulsory school attendance is the wrong public policy.