Primary schoolchildren in Lithuania start early winter holidays

Primary schoolchildren in Lithuania are starting their winter holidays on Monday after they were brought forward due to the coronavirus situation.

The previous government made the decision to make the winter break for schoolchildren longer and last until January 3 to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The new government led by Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, however, decided on Sunday that primary schoolchildren would not return to schools after this break as they would need to undergo education remotely until January 31.

The government also decided last week that elder schoolchildren would be entirely moved to online education. The decision came into force last Wednesday.

Pre-school education establishments will continue working in Lithuania but parents will be advised to leave their children at home if they can.