This thesis analyzes the involvement of senior class pupils in self-governing committees and public organizations, discusses the participation of the pupils’ in the social processes, stressing values and social roles. Schoolchildren’s committees are reviewed in the context of changes in the Lithuanian educational system. The proportion of youth participation and non-participation in the organizations operating at the schools is also analyzed. A review is made of which organizations operate in schools and which organizations schoolchildren can actively participate in. A Pupil questionnaire was carried out, in order to find out the particularities of the senior class pupils participation in the activity of public organizations and school committees. 757 respondents were interviewed in large and small cities. The number of respondents is described by requirements of 95 percent reliable intervals and 4 percent inaccuracies, which are considered to be sufficient for representation in quantitative research. The research that was carried out revealed that according to the interview data of the senior class pupils, one quarter of the pupils takes part in a school commitee and one fifth of 16 – 18 year old schoolchildren take part in youth organizations. The proportion of children who participate both in self–governing committees and in youth organizations does not reach one tenth and about two thirds of the respondents do not participate in any activities. More schoolchildren... [to full text]