During a Saeima session on Thursday, a heated debate arose regarding an incident at Riga 71st Secondary School, where a history teacher required students to listen to the Ukrainian national anthem. The discussion focused on whether respect should be shown to the Ukrainian anthem in Latvia.
Aleksejs Rosļikovs, a deputy from the “Stability!” party, stated that “Latvian children are not obliged to stand or honour anything except the Latvian anthem and the Latvian flag, our independent country, our great nation.”
In his speech, he criticized “New Unity” (JV) for allegedly imposing a “different obligation” on children by making them listen to another country’s anthem.
In contrast, deputy Raimonds Čudars (JV) argued that “it is important for a teacher to fulfil their duties and explain to children what is right and wrong, and in this case, the teacher has done so.”
Edvards Smiltēns, a deputy from the “United List,” stated that the Latvian people have clearly expressed their support for Ukraine and have provided help since the first day of the war. He emphasized that children must understand who the aggressor is and who the victim is.
“On a day when the fallen are commemorated thousands of people who have given their lives so that these Latvian children can live in peace and not have to sleep in basements at night,” said Smiltēns.
Smiltēns stressed that it is therefore understandable that teachers make children stand up during the Ukrainian anthem. “I believe this matter is entirely clear and understandable,” he added.
Deputy Česlavs Batņa (AS) reminded that even at sports events, spectators stand when the winner’s anthem is played.
As LETA news agency previously reported, the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) stated that students’ behaviour during the playing of an anthem is an ethical issue rather than a legal one.
In response to a request from “Stability!” Saeima deputies, Minister of Education and Science Dace Melbārde (JV) explained in a written reply that expressing solidarity with Ukraine is natural, given Latvia’s support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.
The minister also noted that students have the right to religious freedom, as stipulated in Article 99 of the Constitution, but this right should not be confused with showing respect for national symbols.
Additionally, the response clarified that teachers are not allowed to film students without their or their parents’ consent, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation.
LETA also reported that the Riga municipality is evaluating the incident at Riga 71st Secondary School, where a history teacher made students listen to the Ukrainian anthem, and a student filmed the event.
An investigation is underway at the school, and an explanation has been requested regarding the situation. Contrary to claims on social media, the person who filmed the video was a student, not the teacher.
The school event, titled “Together Until Victory,” was intended to honour the Ukrainian people fighting not only for their own freedom but also for ours. The Ukrainian anthem was played on the 24th of February in several Latvian schools and institutions. Riga City Council has stated that respect should be shown whenever an anthem is played.
No complaints regarding the event have been received from parents of students at the school.
Certain political forces have used the incident for their purposes. For example, the Latvian Russian Union stated on its Facebook page that forcing children to honour the Ukrainian anthem against their will should be considered a violation.
Meanwhile, “Stability!” leader Aleksejs Rosļikovs has submitted a request in the Saeima regarding the actions of the history teacher at Riga 71st Secondary School.
According to Rosļikovs, the history teacher violated students’ rights under the Education Law by demanding that they stand and honour another country’s anthem without question. He argued that students have the right to express and defend their opinions and should be allowed to refrain from such activities for religious reasons.
The parliamentary request asks the Minister of Education and Science to clarify which regulations mandate the playing of the Ukrainian national anthem or require its observance in Latvian educational institutions.