Latvia rolls out one system for school and kindergarten registration

Latvia is introducing a nationwide system for registering children at kindergartens and schools, with applications to be made through the Latvija.gov.lv portal. The changes are being phased in by the Ministry of Education and Science, LSM reported.

Municipalities are receiving training on how to use the system. Aizkraukle municipality is among the first to adopt it.

Until now, municipalities have used different registration methods. Aizkraukle’s previous electronic system cost about €150 a month to maintain. The new state system will be free for municipalities.

The old system also made it difficult for preschool directors to access information about waiting lists. Liene Bešmenova, head of Aizkraukle’s Zīlīte kindergarten, said the information was available only to the municipality and the educational institution, so staff had to request updated lists.

Elīna Pelše, a methodologist at the Aizkraukle municipal education administration, said the new system was easier to understand and more transparent than the previous one. Staff training began in the summer, and directors of all 15 preschools in the municipality are also due to be trained.

Parents will be able to submit applications and track their status through Latvija.gov.lv. The system is also expected to give the state a clearer picture of demand for kindergarten places. Previously, municipalities had to compile some of this information manually and send it to the ministry.