Latvia’s education minister to set school calendars and exam dates

Latvia’s parliament, the Saeima, has approved amendments allowing the education and science minister to set the start and end of the school year, school holidays and the dates of state examinations, LSM reported.

The amendments were adopted urgently to the Education Law, the General Education Law and the Vocational Education Law.

Under the previous system, the Cabinet had to make these decisions each year. It also set the dates of state examinations in general education subjects for general and vocational secondary education programmes.

The amendments transfer these responsibilities to the education and science minister without involving the entire government. The explanatory statement says the aim is to reduce the administrative burden.

The minister will also make the final decision on granting and revoking state gymnasium status for educational institutions.

The changes will take effect on the day after the laws are promulgated.