On 12 March, the President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the Minister for Education and Science Dace Melbārde at the Riga Castle to discuss current issues in education and sport, including the transition to education in the Latvian language, the introduction of the new school funding model, changes to the regulation of distance learning, and planned reforms in the sports sector.
Particular attention during the discussion was devoted to the transition to education in the Latvian language, which formally concludes in the current academic year.
“The transition to education in the Latvian language is an important step. However, the decisive factor is what happens in the classroom – whether teachers have sufficient practical support and whether children have the opportunity to learn and use the Latvian language in their daily lives,” emphasized the President of Latvia.
Schools and pupils differ greatly, and therefore schools require flexible solutions and sufficient resources to ensure a suitable learning environment and the necessary support for each child.
Regarding the planned restrictions on distance learning for pupils in grades 1–6, President Rinkēvičs stressed that the new regulation must be implemented thoughtfully, by developing clear procedures for municipalities in a timely manner and ensuring that the best interests of the child are at the centre in every case.
The development of the sports sector was also discussed during the meeting. The President noted that strong and widely accessible sport for children and young people across Latvia forms the foundation both for public health and for high achievement in elite sport.
