Latvia proposes lower student threshold for upper secondary funding

Latvia’s Ministry of Education and Science has proposed retaining state funding for teacher salaries in grades 10 to 12 with at least 15 students in the 2026 to 2027 school year, down from the current threshold of 30, LSM reported.

The ministry submitted several amendments just weeks before the start of the new school year to clarify how the new Programme at School teacher funding model will operate from the next academic year, according to information in the legal acts portal.

Funding for smaller class groups would be calculated in proportion to the actual number of students. The ministry said the transitional arrangement would give municipalities more time to adapt their school networks to the new funding model and make long term decisions about the development of educational institutions.

Schools operating under special conditions for introducing the new funding model would be allowed student number fluctuations of up to 25 percent in grades 1 to 6 and up to 10 percent in grades 7 to 9. In these schools, the transitional requirement of at least 15 students per class group in upper secondary education would remain in force until September 2027.

The amendments would also remove the current 2 percent limit on reallocating state targeted funding among salaries for teachers, support staff, school principals and deputy principals. This would give school leaders greater flexibility to use the allocated funding according to their actual staffing needs.

The ministry said funding must nevertheless be prioritised for the teaching and support staff needed to deliver the learning process, as well as for special education programmes.

The changes would also clarify funding for distance learning by doubling the coefficient used to calculate funding for municipal schools that provide distance learning programmes alongside in person education in grades 1 to 9. The ministry said this would help ensure access to basic education for children from the Latvian diaspora abroad. Distance learning programmes would also be subject to a minimum threshold of 15 students per class group.

Other amendments would add social pedagogues to the list of positions funded through state budget targeted grants. State gymnasium principals and deputy principals would also receive funding for a 10 percent supplement already provided to teachers delivering general secondary education programmes at these schools.