KTU Engineering Lyceum

Kaunas University of Technology Engineering Lyceum (KTU Engineering Lyceum)

Principal – dr. Dainius Žvirdauskas

KTU lyceum of engineering (previously known as Kaunas „Purienų” Secondary School) has been working since September 1, 2014. It is the first educational institution of its kind in Lithuania and its establishment was the result of the long-term cooperation of Kaunas City Municipality, Kaunas University of Technology and the school. Starting from February 2015, the lyceum became an accredited gymnasium that provides engineering education as a part of the specialized education curriculum programmes (primary, basic and secondary education with integrated engineering education).

In the lyceum about 75 percent of the curriculum is the same as in other general education schools, and (up to 25 percent) the engineering curriculum is integrated into the curriculum of primary, basic, and secondary education. It should be noted that the lyceum devotes the same amount of time to all the traditional subjects taught in other schools or gymnasiums. Chess classes are held in the first and second grades, and in the third and fourth grades students learn the basics of programming. From the fifth to eighth grades, besides engineering lessons, students study optional subjects such as electronics systems, algorithm and programming, robotics, etc., and participate in various engineering research and projects. Students of these classes repeatedly participate in lessons given by lecturers and scientists of Kaunas University of Technology and representatives of various companies. In the ninth and tenth grades students are required to complete design lessons in addition to the engineering subject. Also, optional subjects in media, robotics or other classes are conducted. In the eleventh and twelfth grades students study engineering, designing in addition to engineering education, and have the opportunity to choose from a range of engineering education subjects: engineering design, mechatronics, biotechnology, electronics, media, and more. In order to broaden their engineering competency, students may choose non-formal education programs from the engineering curriculum. Eleventh grade students are required to complete internships in modern technology companies and the laboratories of research and higher education institutions. At the end of the second part of the specialized curriculum (basic education combined with engineering education), students complete the final engineering creative design work.

History of the school

II Progymnasium

• September 1, 1947 – Only the first and second (present-day fifth and sixth) gymnasium classes were held at the Polytechnic College (Tvirtovės Ave. 37).
• 1947 – The school was headed by Principal J. Bružas.
• 1947–1948 – Principal V. Vabalas
• 1948–1953 – Principal J. Blažaitis

Secondary School

• September 1, 1949 – The school was reorganized into a high school.
• 1950 – The first students graduated from the school (150 students).
• 1953–1954 – H. Saržickas became the principal of the school.

22nd Kaunas Secondary School

• 1954–1956 – Principal V. Bastienė
• 1956–1964 – Principal V. Vilčinskas
• December 1957 – Senior students moved to premises at Raudonosios Armijos Ave., while lower grades studied at Algirdo St. 34.
• June 1958 – The first graduates completed the full high school course (Grade 11).
• 1960 – Construction of a new school building began.  
• January 21, 1961 – The new school building was officially opened (Darželio St. 22).
• 1964–1970 – Principal V. Strolia
• 1968 – The 10th graduating class completed the school.
• 1970–1972 – Principal V. Dagys
• 1973–1977 – Principal B. Gagienė
• 1977–1989 – Principal J. Varatinskas
• 1977 – The 20th graduating class completed the school.
• 1987 – The 30th graduating class completed the school.
• 1990–1992 – Principal G. Luobikis
• 1992–1996 – Principal L. Tolvaišis

Kaunas „Purienų” Secondary School 

• December 9, 1993 – The school was given the name Kaunas “Purienų” Secondary School.
• 1996–2008 – Principal E. Balasevičius
• 1997 – In autumn, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary.
• 2001 – New traditions were introduced: the school name day celebration in Kleboniškis and the end-of-school-year celebration at the Kaunas State Musical Theatre.
• 2001 – The school building was renovated during the summer.
• August 30, 2001 – The Minister of Education and Science A. Monkevičius visited the school.
• 2007 – In autumn, the school celebrated its 60th anniversary.
• 2008–2012 – Principal D. Žekevičienė
• February 12, 2011 – The Minister of Education and Science G. Steponavičius visited the school.
• 2011–2012 – The school had 991 students and 119 employees.
• July 2012 – D. Žvirdauskas became the principal of the school.
• September 1, 2012 – The Minister of National Defense R. Juknevičienė and the Minister of Education and Science G. Steponavičius participated in the celebration.
• 2012–2013 – The school had 969 students.
• 2013 – The Minister of Education and Science D. Pavalkis, Members of the Seimas R. Juknevičienė and O. Leiputė, and the Head of KTU Admissions Department S. Raila participated in the celebration of the new school year.

KTU Engineering Lyceum

• September 1, 2014 – As a result of long-term cooperation with Kaunas University of Technology, the school was reorganized into the Kaunas University of Technology Engineering Lyceum, the first engineering lyceum in Kaunas.
• August 8, 2014 – The lyceum’s administration and teaching staff prepared the engineering education component of the specialized education programmes (primary, basic and secondary education combined with engineering education), which was registered by the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania, Dainius Pavalkis.
• September 1, 2014 – The Minister of Education and Science Dainius Pavalkis, KTU Rector Petras Baršauskas, Member of the Seimas Rasa Juknevičienė, and Dean Dainius Lukonaitis participated in the celebration of the beginning of the new school year.
• February 6, 2015 – The lyceum became an accredited gymnasium.
• September 1, 2015 – 1,128 students studied at the lyceum.
• September 1, 2016 – 1,141 students studied at the lyceum.
• 2018 – Renovation of the building at S. Lozoraičio St. 13 was completed.
• September 1, 2018 – 1,595 students studied at the lyceum. The lyceum also received the buildings located at Vaidoto St. 11 and Žeimenos St. 56.
• 2019 – Renovation of the building and construction of the roof were carried out at Vaidoto St. 11.
• 2019 – The project “Modernization of Žaliakalnis General Education Institutions with Increased Service Efficiency” was implemented at S. Lozoraičio St. 13, including renovation of premises and the purchase of equipment to modernize the educational process.