Restructuring of the country’s school network is not a reform – it is a means of getting quality education and preventing inequality, said Progressive Party (PRO) Saeima deputy Antoņina Ņenaševa after a meeting organised by New Unity (JV) on Wednesday, the 28th of June.
The politician explained the school network is a means for prevention of inequality and creation of a unified society.
“The school network needs to be reorganised to ensure a unified school teaching in Latvian language, an inclusive education a successful implementation of School 2030 content,” stressed Ņenaševa.
Currently the restructuring of the school network is not the goal itself, rather a way to ensure the longevity of Latvia’s education system.
Ņenaševa stressed that, first of all, teachers have to be provided with methodological materials, STEM offices and appropriate working environment in order to present the new content.
Solutions include adequate wages, sensible workloads and social protection.
Secondly, an inclusive and unified school in Latvian language from the age 1.5 years should be viewed together with the restructuring of the school network.
Prevention of violence in the school environment is part of the initiative to raise the quality of teaching, and so that teachers can pick the best and closest school for their child.
For parents to be confident the school they picked is able to provide quality education in Latvian language regardless of its previous status. Only then we will be able to bring about a safe and unified society.
Thirdly, the Progressive Party notes that it is necessary to develop a clear plan to ensure a sufficient number of teachers able to teach subjects in Latvian language.
The teacher/student mobility topic is important as well, especially in the regions. It is important to ensure that it is possible to reach schools from any Latvian neighbourhood.
Industry professionals have been talking about it for years.
“Unfortunately, the voices of more than 40 thousand teachers have not been heard in the government yet, and this needs to change,” said Ņenaševa.
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