Expert Educational Institutions in Lithuania: Contribution of the Government Strategic Analysis Centre (STRATA) to Developing the National Education Policy

Abstract

The article elaborates on the relationship between the target-oriented education system of Lithuania and one of the Lithuanian expert educational institutions, Government Strategic Analysis Centre (STRATA). STRATA is an organisation which has long been offering expert conclusions (recommendations) in the field of education policy. Up to date, there has been no investigation of the impact of institutions in Lithuania which present research-based information to decision makers. The authors compares changes within educational policy implemented in 2018– 2020 with undertakings of STRATA with the purpose to evaluate the following aspects: first, to what extent, which decision makers, and for what purposes were using STRATA products; and second, what impact the STRATA prod­ucts have had on the actual policy-making process. The research results showed that STRATA’s contribution to the genesis of education policy decisions is insignificant. It is the initial data gathered by STRATA rather than its con­clusions or recommendations that are generally used. The analysis that has been done could be considered a starting point for further discussion regarding the contribution of expert analytical centres financed from public funds to the process of Lithuania’s public political life.