Ministry rushes 500,000-euro school funding shift, raising private-school concerns

Latvia’s Ministry of Education and Science has rapidly redirected more than 500,000 euros for teachers’ salaries at small schools, a move that may mainly benefit private schools, LSM reports. The government approved the change without waiting for views from teachers’ representatives or municipalities.

The decision allows the state to continue funding schools with too few pupils during the current school year. The ministry described it as a transitional measure to ensure continuity in education and protect pupils’ interests, including their right to inclusive, quality education.

The proposal was posted on the government’s legal acts portal on Monday and approved the following day. The funding was found within the ministry’s resources.

The changes come after Latvia introduced a new school funding model, “Programme in School,” which set stricter minimum pupil-number requirements. In September, the rules were eased to let some schools receive full state funding during this school year. The latest decision introduces another transitional period.

The Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees and municipalities have raised concerns that the new arrangement may apply only to private schools.