Latvia may delay proposed education reforms for a year

Latvia’s governing coalition may postpone proposed changes to school examinations and student assessment for a year, LSM reported on Monday. The coalition is expected to discuss the reforms before the new school year begins on Tuesday.

Education and Science Minister Ilze Indriksone of the National Alliance has proposed changes to school funding, student assessment and examinations at the end of primary school. The coalition partners New Unity and the Union of Greens and Farmers oppose the speed with which the amendments are being advanced and are inclined not to support them.

The United List could propose delaying the reforms for a year. The coalition must decide whether to support Indriksone’s proposals in the run-up to the elections.

The biggest differences concern examinations. Indriksone believes that all ninth-grade students with passing grades should be allowed to complete the grade, regardless of their examination results.

Last year, 459 students failed the examinations, while 818 failed this spring. Forecasts indicate that the number could rise significantly next spring, potentially reaching about 1,500 students. Indriksone said the change was intended to prevent those students from having to repeat the year and from being stopped in their further education.

Eighty-five school principals have signed a letter criticising the reforms as rushed, particularly because the decisions are being advanced on the eve of the new school year. The issues are scheduled to be considered by the government on Tuesday.