Latvian Ministry of Education and Science plans to make it mandatory for all children of Ukrainian refugees to start going to Latvian education institutions starting with the next school year.
The ministry’s deputy state secretary for general education affairs Kristīne Niedre-Lathere says that distant teaching does not provide children the necessary social contacts. This hurts their wellbeing and psycho-emotional state. If children study in Latvian schools, it will be possible to provide them the necessary assistance in studies and social integration.
The ministry offers multiple solutions to be implemented in schools in order to include those children into Latvia’s education system. One solution provides for priority Latvian language lessons in groups or individually.
It is also possible to provide for an adapted lesson plan for intensive study of the Latvian language in a group or individually and for the study of subjects in which state tests have been determined at the end of the educational stage – in mathematics, in Latvian, and foreign language.
The third model ensures intensive learning of the Latvian language individually or in a group. Such a support measure would be implemented for a maximum of one school year. Acquisition of other subjects may be partially implemented.
Starting with this school year, Latvia as implemented an inclusive school year for newcomers from Ukraine. They are offered the opportunity to learn the language before starting regular lessons.
The Ministry of Education and Science has passed relevant amendments to the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians for public discussions. Amendments are planned to be submitted to the government for review.
The ministry has discussed with the UN Refugee Agency, municipalities, NGOs and responsible ministries the topic of including Ukrainian refugees in Latvia’s education system.
Currently children of Ukrainian refugees in Latvia can choose between in person or distance learning. Many Ukrainian children choose distance learning, but such an approach does not provide documented information about whether the children are included in the Ukrainian education system.
According to data from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), there are 1 842 children of Ukrainian refugees in Latvia who are not registered with any education institution. Data suggests these children are distance learning in Ukraine.
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