2016-05-17
Millions spent on developing educators' qualifications with no effect on student achievement
Over 70 million euros were invested in the development of educators' qualification in Lithuania over the past several years, however, one of the main expectations for the process – an improved level of student achievement – has not been met. A public audit conducted by the supreme audit institution has demonstrated that the qualification development process continues to be organised without any clearly identifiable system and without any consideration for funding needs and expected results.
Based on municipal data, 4.45 million euros in education vouchers were used for developing the qualification of general education teachers (in 2012–2014). An additional sum of over 66 million euros was also implemented as part of various EU assistance projects. During the 2007–2013 funding period, a total of 110.77 million euros were allocated to the process.
The competence and qualification development of educators has a great influence on the quality of education, and the latter is measured by student achievement and progress. The improved capabilities of the country's school children can have a very great impact on the national economy in the long-term. However, according to the results of an international study of 15-year-old students organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2012, our students performed below the EU and OECD average. The situation did not improve in any significant way in 2014. The achievements of Lithuanian schoolchildren did not rank high in any area of the study. Statistics also show that in the academic year of 2014–2015, there were 9.56 educators per 100 students in Lithuania. This is the highest indicator in the European Union and it continues to grow.
Auditors highlighted that the funds allocated for educators' qualification development were used according to purpose, even though the priority areas of the process were not systematically upheld. A total of 99.8 thousand euros in EU structural funds were invested in the planned qualification development system, however, the system is still in development.
"Funding for activity related to the development of educators' qualification is also planned for the 2014–2020 period. If no action is taken, we will be facing the risk that the funds will be used up once again with no significant improvement on our student's achievement and progress," explained Auditor General Arūnas Dulkys.
The National Audit Office contacted the Ministry of Finance, as the managing institution in the implementation of the operational programme for EU structural investment, urging it to pay attention to the problems identified as it allocates funds for the development of educators' qualification. Public auditors are of the opinion that the institution should carefully assess grounds for funding and expected impact because the millions of EU funds invested over the period of 2007–2013 have not been effective.