Approximately 6 000 workers from 184 education institutions in Riga have signed up for participation in the upcoming indefinite strike organised by Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers (LIZDA), as reported by Riga City Council.
Considering that the number of participants of the strike varies among education institutions and that people continue signing up, education activities at schools and kindergartens after 19 September will be organised in accordance with available teaching capabilities. Children and their parents will be informed of any changes, the city council reported.
According to data from schools in Riga, 87 out of 101 general schools with approximately 4 000 employees have signed up for the strike so far.
37 schools have signed up to participate for one to three days, eight schools have signed up for a week, and 42 schools have not listed the period of time they intend to participate in the strike.
Riga City Council Education, Culture and Sports Department will report the exact plan for work organisation at schools once reports have been received from all principals.
According to data provided by kindergartens, 97 out of 146 kindergartens wit approximately 2 300 workers, as well as seven schools with pre-school groups have signed up for participation in the strike.
47 kindergartens in Riga have signed up for a period of one to three days, 27 kindergartens have signed up for five days, and 30 kindergartens have not stated their period of time.
Information available so far indicates that 68 kindergartens in Riga will have to close for the duration of the strike. Teaching in 33 kindergartens will be provided only partially.
14 schools and 15 kindergartens have yet to report information regarding their participation in the upcoming strike, Riga City Council reports.
Principals will prepare notification letters for parents to inform them how education activities will be organised during the strike, the length of the strike and how all relevant information will be reported from now on.
If all workers – teachers and assistants – at education institutions go on strike, it will be closed down for the duration of the strike and no teaching will be done.
Riga City Council reminds that any education worker has the right to go on strike. This is why residents are asked to be understanding towards the upcoming education disruptions.
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