About Meilė Lukšienė

Marking the 100th anniversary (celebrated by UNESCO since 2013) of the birth of Habil. Dr. Meile Luksiene, a prominent figure and world-renowned educator, from the 1st of September 2013 Marijampole Education Centre was given Meile Luksiene name. The decision was approved by Marijampole municipal council’s legislation No 1-270 of 28 June 2013.

Meilute Julija Luksiene-Matjosaityte (20 August 1913 – 16 October 2009) – Lithuanian literature researcher, pedagogue, educologist, Ph.D. in Social Sciences, one of the authors of the concept of National school.

Meilute Julija Luksiene-Matjosaityte, born on 20 August 1913, in Vienna, Austria, originates from a famous family of Lithuanian culture figures. In Kaunas Vytautas Magnus University, Faculty of Humanities, she obtained Lithuanian literature history, Lithuanian linguistics, French literature, and pedagogy specialties, as well as defended doctoral dissertation in Humanities and became doctor habilitatus in Social Sciences.

Meile Luksiene, the author and co-author of many educational books, worked as a teacher, university lecturer, and chair of the Department of Lithuanian Literature at Vilnius University. During Soviet times, Luksiene was dismissed from the university due to the accusations of nationalism and anti-Sovietism. She was later accepted to Pedagogic Research Institute. Meile Luksiene was a member of the steering group of Lithuanian Reorganization Movement and one of the initiators of Lithuanian education reform.

Meile Luksiene began her research career as a literary critic. In 1954-1955 Luksiene issued to press and published writings by Jonas Biliunas, her mother’s first husband (2 v. 1954-1955, 3 v. 1981-1982), and collections of writings by S. Daukantas (1955) and L. Jucevicius (1959, 1975). She wrote syntheses for such books as “The History of Lithuanian Literature: The Era of Feudalism” (with others, 1957), “The Historical Traits of Lithuanian School and Pedagogical Thought” (with others, 1983).

Later, Meile Luksiene explored the history of education and pedagogical thought. She underlined the importance of the history of education and claimed education to be a part of nation’s culture.

In 1988, Luksiene became the education reform initiator and co-author of the fundamental strategic documents on Lithuanian education, including “The Concept of the National School” (1992), “The Concept of Lithuanian Education” (1992), “The Guidelines of Lithuanian Education Reform” (1993), “The Mainstream School Program” (1942).

In the year 2004, Meile Luksiene was awarded the UNESCO Jan Amos Comenius medal. It is one of the most prestigious UNESCO awards given for significant achievements in education. The researcher also received Great Cross of the Knight Commander of Vytautas Magnus (2003) and Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania honorary award (2007).

2011 November 9, during the 36th Session of the General Conference held in Paris, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Meile Luksiene was announced to be celebrated by UNESCO in 2013. The public figure was recognised by UNESCO for her contributions important in developing the modern education system and fostering the democratic Lithuanian community.