The State Construction Control Bureau (BVKB) found non-compliance in the majority of inspected educational institutions – 43 out of 49 – mostly related to unauthorized construction, the bureau informed LETA.
According to BVKB, the trend in school infrastructure remains focused on reconstruction of existing buildings rather than new construction. Since the beginning of the last academic year, three new buildings have been commissioned, while 24 educational institutions have undergone reconstruction.
The newly commissioned facilities include a primary school building in Vālodzes (Stopiņi municipality), a kindergarten in Lielvārde, and a training center in Olaine. The previous year saw a similar number of reconstructions – 27 – and again three new builds.
Currently, BVKB inspectors supervise 1,997 educational buildings, including preschools, schools, universities and research facilities. Since 2015, they have inspected 2,234 institutions in total. Some of the previously inspected facilities have since been demolished or repurposed.
In the last academic year, BVKB inspected 49 schools:
nine for the first time and 40 through follow-up checks prompted by technical reports highlighting unauthorized construction or possible risks to structural stability.
The inspections concluded that three institutions were in good technical condition with no violations – Riga’s Natālija Draudziņa Secondary School, Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy in Cēsis, and Ludza Secondary School No.2.
However, 43 schools were found to have unauthorized construction or damage that may affect the building’s condition, though not posing immediate danger to users.
The most common violation – found in 57% of cases – was unauthorized building work, such as unapproved partition walls, relocation of doorways, or changes to existing structures. In 43% of cases, cracks in floors or vertical structures were recorded. Safety issues were often linked to risks of falling objects or people, caused by missing or inadequate railings, damaged staircases, or poorly maintained façade elements.
BVKB emphasizes that
cracks or unauthorized construction do not automatically mean a building is unsafe for use
– they are deficiencies to be corrected. Building owners are issued instructions or orders to fix problems, and the bureau monitors compliance.
Over the past 10 years, the overall technical condition of schools has improved significantly thanks to state oversight, BVKB director Baiba Vītoliņa noted. While in the past schools were often closed due to threats to student and staff safety, such cases are now rare.
Out of the 49 inspected schools, three were deemed in pre-emergency or emergency condition, leading to partial or full bans on use. These include a Riga Technical University building no longer used for teaching, the former Music School building in Ventspils, and Riga Secondary School No.74, where one entrance has been closed.
Regarding accessibility, BVKB found that most schools invested in improving access to the building itself, but often neglected interior adaptations allowing persons with disabilities to move independently inside.
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