On Thursday, 16 June, Latvian parliament passed in the first reading amendments that provide for a gradual transition to education only in state language at kindergartens and primary education in three years.
The legislative draft provides for a gradual transition to education in state language at the level of general education and pre-school and primary education to promote improved education content and approach on Latvia’s primary education level, according to the annotation of the legislative draft. Amendments are also intended to improve regulations regarding the use of foreign languages on the vocational secondary education level.
According to authors of the legislative draft and Ministry of Education and Science, the current language approach in national minority education programmes has not provided quality education of the state language on all education levels.
Insufficient knowledge of the state language can limit social integration and interfere with professional career development.
In order to provide lessons of national minority language, culture and history in full accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, amendments suggest allowing national minority culture, history and language lessons to be provided as part of hobby groups. These programmes are to be financed by the state and municipality.
Amendments provide the right for the Cabinet of Ministers to lay down guidelines and examples for national minority language, culture and history education programmes, as well as the order under which national minority students will be enrolled for such education programmes.
The legislative draft suggests that from 1 September 2023, all education programmes implemented in primary education are to be done only in Latvian language for 1st, 4th and 7th grades. From 1 September 2024 onward the switch to education in Latvian language only is to be done for 2nd, 5th and 8th grades. From 1 September 2025 onward education programmes are to switch to Latvian language only for 3rd, 6th and 9th grades. From 1 September 2023 onward all education in kindergartens is to be done in Latvian language only.
Amendments are also intended to improve regulations that govern the skill and use of Latvian language by principals and teaching staff.
Authors of the legislative draft estimate that the transition to studies in Latvian language only will affect 17% of teachers and 24% of students of national minority kindergartens.
It is planned for the legislative draft to come to force on the next day after promulgation.
The Saeima needs to pass amendments in two more readings.