Honourable Mr Danusēvičs,
Dear teachers, education managers and enthusiasts of excellent education,
Let me begin by noting that today we are thinking of Ukraine – it is Ukraine’s Independence Day, and it has now been six months since Russia began the war in Ukraine. Ukraine is fighting courageously, and we are all certain that Ukraine will win. Latvia has been, is and will continue standing in solidarity with Ukraine.
Today we are honouring teachers, schools and gymnasiums that have significantly contributed in cultivating the talents of our schoolchildren. Mr Danusēvičs already spoke about talent; we need to be able to recognise it and we need to be able to cultivate it. And that is precisely what you are doing. Your pupils may form our next generation of educators, scientists, statemen and stateswomen.
In this blessed work, there is no one better than a teacher, because a teacher not only shares their knowledge, makes learning interesting and meaningful, but also inspires, helps students set and achieve goals. The opportunity to shape the character of the young generation and their future, in turn, gives meaning to the work of a teacher. Therefore, the smartest, most ethical, emotionally most intelligent from among us are the ones who should be educators. The development of the next generations of our society depends on this.
In the times when education was hard to access, the teaching profession held social prestige. Today, information is all around us – both of high and poor quality, true and false. We need to be able to discern which is which. But a mentor is still necessary in learning, and that mentor is a knowledgeable educator. One may say that the role of educators in the age of abundant information has actually grown.
Today, the demands on educators have increased manifold. Educators today need to know how to create education material and content themselves, teach in person, as well as remotely and even in hybrid format, and during the Covid-19 pandemic educators had to know how to ensure that epidemiological requirements were met. Despite many job vacancies in schools, you have to be able to fulfil bureaucratical requirements and ensure that classes take place as planned.
I believe that education must be an important priority for the next convocation of the Saeima and the government. Already acute issues which educators deal with on a daily basis need to be resolved, as do the issues that will come into play in future. Educators need to receive adequate remuneration, balanced workloads and have access to support mechanisms. These issues need to be dealt with and resolved in a complex manner, band-aid solutions will not suffice here.
With respect and admiration, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you for continuing your mission despite all difficulties. Your work is crucially important to youths, society at large and the future of our state.
I am thankful to each and every one of you personally for the work you have contributed in nurturing the young talents of Latvia.
