Groups question health focus of proposed family module

Several health-care and other organisations say a proposed family health module for schools gives too little attention to health literacy. LSM reported on concerns raised as Latvia’s Ministry of Education and Science reviews the general education curriculum.

The proposed module would cover family and its development, personality and identity, relationships, and family and society. It could begin in the next school year, with full implementation planned from September 1, 2028.

Critics say the themes focus more on family roles, values and relationships than on health. Several organisations and ministries have called for wider discussions with subject experts and teachers before the module is introduced. They have also questioned whether the initial proposal is based on research.

Diana Šavalgina of the State Education Development Agency said the roadmap drew on reviews of existing curricula, international experience, UNESCO guidelines and experts from the University of Latvia and Rīga Stradiņš University. She said partners and some experts involved in curriculum reviews were also invited to a meeting before the information report was published.

Lāsma Līdaka, president of the Latvian Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, said the module currently appeared to be focused on moral education.