Development of Lithuanian education during the period of soviet occupation: a view of historiography and new research perspectives

Straipsnyje analizuojami Lietuvos mokslininkų darbai, kuriuose nagrinėjama Lietuvos švietimo istorija sovietų okupacijos metais. Siekiama atskleisti pagrindines Lietuvos švietimo istorijos sovietų okupacijos metais tyrimų kryptis ir aktualizuoti naujus šios srities tyrimus. Straipsnyje pristatomi du XX a. antrosios pusės Lietuvos švietimo istorijos tyrimų raidos etapai. Pirmasis etapas apima sovietų okupacijos laikotarpį, kuris išsiskiria ne tik tuo, kad kuriama ideologiškai „teisinga“ sovietinės Lietuvos mokyklos raidos rekonstrukcija, bet ir siekiais sistemingai plėsti šią tyrimų temą. Šiuo laikotarpiu yra svarbūs lietuvių išeivijoje parengti darbai, kurių rengėjai Lietuvoje vykstančius švietimo sistemos pertvarkymus bei pokyčius bando vertinti pasauliniame kontekste ar lyginti su nepriklausomos Lietuvos mokyklos tradicijomis. Antrojo etapo pradžią žymi Lietuvos valstybingumo atkūrimas XX a. pabaigoje. Šiuo laikotarpiu ne tik atsiveria naujos švietimo istorijos tyrimų galimybės, bet, modeliuojant Lietuvos švietimo pertvarką ir įgyvendinant pagrindinius švietimo reformos tikslus, tampa aktualu iš naujo permąstyti ir įvertinti XX a. įgytas ar primestas švietimo kūrimo patirtis. Tačiau tyrinėti Lietuvos švietimo raidą sovietų okupacijos metais imasi tik pavieniai mokslininkaiThe article explores works by Lithuanian scholars that analyse the history of Lithuanian education in the period of Soviet occupation. It aims at revealing the main directions of research on the history of Lithuanian education in the period of Soviet occupation and actualising new research in this area. The article presents two stages in the development of research of Lithuanian education history in the second half of the 20th century. The first stage covers the period of Soviet occupation, which is distinguished by creation of an ideologically “correct” reconstruction of the development of Soviet Lithuanian schooling, but also attempts to systematically advance the area of research. The works written in exile during that period are of great importance, as their authors try to evaluate the changes and reconstruction of the system of education in Lithuania in a global context and compare it to the traditions of Lithuanian schooling during independence. The second stage occurs upon regaining Lithuanian statehood at the end of the 20th century. At this time, new possibilities to explore the history of education appear. Moreover, as modelling and implementation of Lithuanian education reform are carried out, it becomes relevant to reconsider and re-evaluate the experiences acquired or imposed in the 20th century. However, the analysis of the development of Lithuanian education in the years of Soviet occupation is undertaken by only a few individual researchers. With reference to these works, it is concluded that the problems associated with the history of Lithuanian education under Soviet occupation in the second half of the 20th century should be reconsidered and further analysed regarding the Sovietisation of Lithuanian schoolsVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŠvietimo akademij