The distribution of finances from the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) and other ministries to provide more funding to the healthcare sector is a single-time affair, and it will not have any lasting effect on science and higher education, says IZM.
IZM allocated a total of EUR 7 751 533 from its budget to help cover the needs of the Ministry of Health.
IZM also predicts this year the state research programme will likely have a surplus of EUR 813 282. This amount will be sent to the Ministry of Health as well.
The Ministry of Health will receive an additional amount of EUR 544 571 from the priority project “Funding increase for pupils catering from 1st to 4th grade”, as well as EUR 88 657, which is an amount saved from the holiday on 29th of May.
Although previously information was reported that one of the sources from which finances will be taken is the project for the transition to education only in Latvian language, IZM Education Department noted that the budget distribution will not affect funding already allocated towards this and other projects.
A week ago Latvian government approved the allocation of EUR 140 million towards healthcare.
Latvian Free Trade Unions Association and Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers objected to this, saying that there won’t be enough funding left for the education and science sector.
Also read: Constitutional Court finds requirement for Latvian-only education as inappropriate