The centralized Latvian language examination for 9th grade students has been interrupted in several municipalities across Latvia following a warning issued by the National Armed Forces of Latvia (NBS) regarding a possible airspace threat, according to information provided by Education and Science Minister Dace Melbārde of New Unity (JV).
The examination was suspended in municipalities where the possible airspace threat had been declared. The State Education Development Agency (VIAA) told the LETA news agency that current regulations do not specify how many municipalities must be affected before a decision could be made to suspend the examination nationwide.
If the written part of the exam has been interrupted, students will complete the second section — the essay-writing component — during an additional examination session on the 9th of June. Meanwhile, the oral part of the examination will proceed according to the originally scheduled times in the affected municipalities. The oral examination planned for this week may be held on any day up to the 22nd of May.
The Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia (IZM) urged residents in the affected territories to follow municipal safety procedures and remain indoors in accordance with the so-called “two-wall principle.” The ministry and VIAA continue coordinating with the relevant institutions and municipal education authorities.
Given the current geopolitical situation and recent threats to Latvian airspace, VIAA, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science, has prepared informational material for school administrations on how to act in unexpected situations at both local and national levels.
The material has been distributed to all educational institutions.
Previously, the ministry stated that VIAA is preparing training sessions for various educational target groups and that an online seminar for school leaders on civil protection issues, including psychological resilience, is planned in the near future.
At the same time, the ministry emphasized that civil protection is not directly within its competence and that educational institutions must act according to municipal civil protection plans and their own safety protocols in the event of a threat.
As previously reported, shortly before noon on Tuesday, another cell broadcast alert warning of a possible airspace threat was issued in Latvia’s eastern border region, according to information published on 112.lv.
Initially, warnings were issued in the municipalities of Krāslava Municipality and Ludza Municipality. Later, alerts were also sent to residents of Preiļi Municipality, Rēzekne Municipality, and the city of Rēzekne. Shortly after 12:30 p.m., the warning was extended to Madona Municipality, and around 1 p.m. it was further expanded to include the municipalities of Cēsis Municipality, Smiltene Municipality, and Gulbene Municipality.
NATO air policing mission fighter jets have been activated in Baltic airspace.
According to notices published on the 112.lv website, the NBS informed residents in the affected areas that a possible threat exists in Latvian airspace. Residents in eastern regions are urged to remain indoors, follow the “two-wall principle,” close windows and doors, and, if they notice a low-flying, suspicious, or dangerous object, avoid approaching it and call emergency services at 112.
The NBS emphasized that, together with NATO allies, it continuously monitors Latvian airspace to ensure the ability to respond immediately to potential threats. Additional air defense units have also been deployed along the eastern border. As long as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues, incidents involving foreign unmanned aerial vehicles approaching or entering Latvian airspace may recur, the NBS warned.
Authorities promised that separate information would be provided once the threat has ended.
As previously reported, residents of Latgale have received similar emergency alerts several times in recent months. These incidents were believed to be related to drones involved in the Russia-Ukraine war approaching or entering Latvian airspace. On several occasions, such drones have exploded on Latvian territory, including on the 7th of May at a little-used oil terminal in Rēzekne.
No injuries have been reported in connection with these incidents so far. However, the latest case in Rēzekne first led to the resignation of Latvia’s defense minister and later to the collapse of the entire government led by Evika Siliņa of JV.
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