Kai kurie matematinio mokymo ypatumai Lietuvoje 1918–1940 m.
Features of mathematics teaching in Lithuania (1918–1940)

Summary/Abstract: With Lithuania’s independence declaration in 1918 national education development was to be given a proper attention. According to the law of high education passed in 1919 educational system consisting of three types of schools – primary school, pro-gymnasium and gymnasium – was built. It the beginning Lithuania adopted experience of Russian schools concerning studies of different subjects. At that time mathematics syllabus consisted of arithmetic (forms 1–2), arithmetic and algebra (forms 3–4), introductory course of geometry (form 4). Besides algebra from form 5 children were taught planimetry, from form 6 – stereometry, and from form 7 – trigonometry. Moreover, pupils were suggested to broaden algebra studies with basics of equation and combination theories. When in 1924 secondary education was extended till form 12, syllabus of some teaching subjects including mathematics was begun to develop. One of the main supporters of changes in mathematics syllabus was professor Zigmas Žemaitis (University of Lithuania), who maintained the Merane conference ideas, which spread in Western Europe at that time. He suggested changing mathematics syllabus fundamentally, presenting the notion of the mathematical function already in junior forms. In 1928 the latter ideas were approved at the 1st Lithuanian Mathematics, Physics and Cosmography Teachers‘Conference. These ideas had already found their reflection in the curriculum approved in 1929–1930 academic years. Since that time mathematics studies in secondary schools started with systematic arithmetic and algebra courses and introduction into systematic course of planimetry. In senior forms (forms 5–8) during mathematics classes systematic course of algebra had to be finished, the whole course of geometry was taught and some knowledge of “infinite smalls“ was given. In the course of education modernization in 1936 under the reform of school education it was decided that at a gymnasium children would study 7 years, and at primary school – 6 years. So, at primary school mathematics subject was already called as calculation and during this subject lessons pupils were introduced with a wide course of arithmetic and in troductory geometry (planimetry and stereometry). Later, at secondary schools (pro-gymnasium, gymnasium) mathematics included arithmetic and algebra (forms 1–2), algebra (forms 2–4) and geometry (forms 1–7) courses. In the final form mathematics syllabus was widened with credibility theory and project geometry elements were included. So, mathematics teaching in secondary school consisted of 3 weekly lessons, and in final forms (pro-gymnasium form 3 and gymnasium form 7) 4 lessons. Thus, it is evident, that mathematics teaching in Lithuania in 1918–1940 was not only organised, but directed towards modernization, following Western Europe tradition...

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