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Paula Dēvica

Paula Dēvica

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Can anyone become a teacher in Latvia?
Can anyone become a teacher in Latvia?
Can anyone who wants to become a teacher? In Latvia, people who are not specifically trained as teachers often do so. At a time when there is a shortage of teachers, it is often enough to have a university education to receive a job offer at a school.
Latvia desperately needs sex education, say experts
Latvia desperately needs sex education, say experts
Knowledge of reproductive and sexual health in Latvia remains relatively low and is not improving. Experts agree that the education of adults and children on these issues is at a critical level in Latvia, but there is still no clarity as to when and how it will be implemented, Latvian Radio reported on February 14.
Jēkabpils gets creative to keep school open
Jēkabpils gets creative to keep school open
In the fight to preserve schools, Jēkabpils municipality has taken up new creative methods – changing the school's official address from the city to a rural area so it can continue to receive state funding with the same number of pupils, Latvian Radio reported on February 12.
Schools campaign against education network reform
Schools campaign against education network reform
A support campaign for small schools took place in Latvian schools on Monday, January 29. It was joined by students, parents, and staff from public schools and private schools. Singing the national anthem together, those gathered called on the government to build a more thought-out reform of the school network.
Researcher: Latvia's Russian speakers are conflicted about their identity
Researcher: Latvia's Russian speakers are conflicted about their identity
Russian-speakers in Latvia are in the grip of an identity crisis, and despite many of them supporting Ukraine's defense against the aggression of the Russian Federation, divisions remain on issues such as the interpretation of history, says Mārtiņš Kaprāns, a researcher in philosophy and sociology at the University of Latvia, in an interview with Latvian Radio. 
Teacher wage issue still unresolved in many schools of Latvia
Teacher wage issue still unresolved in many schools of Latvia
As of this year, it is planned to align the salaries of kindergarten teachers with the salaries of teachers of general educational institutions. However, in several municipalities, to save money, the local authorities decide to reduce the load, and the financial situation has even deteriorated for some school teachers after the promised wage increase, Latvian Radio reported on January 10.
Tragic crash raises issue of drivers' health checks
Tragic crash raises issue of drivers' health checks
Health checks should be stricter for drivers and should be carried out often enough, say experts approached by Latvian Radio December 11. The issue of the frequency and quality of medical tests was widely debated in the public room following a tragic crash on Saturday in Rīga, where a 91-year-old man accidentally hit two young people, one of whom lost her life.
Number of randomly-selected conscripts to be known in January
Number of randomly-selected conscripts to be known in January
Evaluation of young people who have applied for the third conscription of the State Defense Service (VAD), which will begin next summer, has begun. A total of 515 applications have been received and 60 of the volunteers have already been declared valid for the service, Latvian Radio reported on December 6.
Should Ukrainian children go to Latvian schools?
Should Ukrainian children go to Latvian schools?
How to better integrate Ukrainian children into society – this issue is raised by the organization “I want to help refugees” (Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem). Latvia is encouraged to choose a model practiced in neighboring countries, which provides for the mandatory inclusion of Ukrainian children in local educational institutions, Latvian Radio reported November 30. 
Covid rapid tests available at schools of Latvia
Covid rapid tests available at schools of Latvia
At the moment, various respiratory illnesses are actively spreading, including Covid-19.  Although the situation is not critical, in some places municipalities have started precautionary measures. For example, self-tests for Covid-19 have been distributed in Jelgava schools, which should be carried out at home in cases of suspected illness, Latvian Radio reported November 29.
Latvia sees growing trend of legionella outbreaks
Latvia sees growing trend of legionella outbreaks
Legionnaires' disease has been spreading with a growing trend in recent years, according to the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC). By November, nearly 70 cases had been recorded this year. The disease is still considered rare, but there is a high risk of death if infected, Latvian Radio reports.
Around 10,000 Rīga households do not have central sewage access
Around 10,000 Rīga households do not have central sewage access
Nearly ten thousand households in Rīga manage sewage locally. Since early 2021, the number of such households has somewhat dropped, but there are still people waiting for infrastructure to be built closer to their house, Latvian Radio reported November 1.
Latvian universities keep dropping in world rankings
Latvian universities keep dropping in world rankings
Four Latvian universities - Rīga Technical University, Rīga Stradiņš University, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technology, and the University of Latvia - have made it into the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 list but their results are not splendid.
Large migrant group stopped in forest near Rīga
Large migrant group stopped in forest near Rīga
A van carrying migrants who had crossed the Latvian border illegally was detained in the Tīraine forest area of Olaine parish on Wednesday, October 4. A group of 23 men have been detained, according to the State Border Guard, Latvian Radio reported October 5.
Latvian Radio probes suspicious supplement seller
Latvian Radio probes suspicious supplement seller
Attracting attention with absurd advertisements, a company markets suspicious supplements, Latvian Radio reported September 19 after an investigation. Shoppers are lured in by promising a cure for vision dystrophy, foot fungus, back pain, and other problems. Industry experts see various potential violations in the company's operations.
Proposal to give Russians more time for exams advances in Saeima
Proposal to give Russians more time for exams advances in Saeima
The Saeima Defense, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee has decided to direct amendments to the Immigration Law, which will provide for the possibility for Russian citizens living in Latvia to apply for a temporary residence permit for a period of two years during which the official language exam has to be completed, for viewing in the parliament, Latvian Radio reported September 5.
Medics protest over pay in Rīga
Medics protest over pay in Rīga
Workers in the healthcare and social care sector demonstrated peacefully outside the Health Ministry building in Rīga July 27, threatening further industrial action unless promises on pay and conditions are kept.
Future students choose computer and social sciences this year
Future students choose computer and social sciences this year
The most frequently chosen study programs by new applicants at universities are computer science and social science. , it informed higher education institutions. The Latvian Employers' Confederation welcomed the results, but still highlights the lack of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) specialists, Latvian Radio reported July 19.
Positivus festival expects 20,000 visitors a day
Positivus festival expects 20,000 visitors a day
On July 15 and 16, in the territory of Lucavsala, Rīga, the festival Positivus will take place after two years of pandemic silence. The organizer Ģirts Majors told Latvian Radio on July 13 that around 20,000 visitors are projected daily.
Latvia might extend parental leave by one month
Latvia might extend parental leave by one month
In a second review, the Saeima Social and Labour Affairs Commission supported amendments intending to introduce compulsory parental leave sharing between parents. In addition to these changes, it is also planned to extend the duration of parental leave by one month, Latvian Radio reported July 12.
Rising costs could lead to university dropouts
Rising costs could lead to university dropouts
Due to overall price increases, there is also an increase in fees in university dormitories. Some students are already having trouble, but universities say that in winter, following rising energy prices, fees could rise again, Latvian Radio reported on July 8.
Government okays felling of younger trees in Latvia
Government okays felling of younger trees in Latvia
At the meeting on June 21, the government agreed to allow the felling of younger trees for commercial purposes, despite objections by environmental protection organizations, Latvian Radio reported. 
Ukrainian teachers welcomed in Latvian schools
Ukrainian teachers welcomed in Latvian schools
Ukrainians are eager to help out at Latvian schools, working as Ukrainian language teachers and teaching assistants (TA). 41 Ukrainian civilians are currently working at educational establishments. On May 3 Latvian Radio went to one of the schools welcoming Ukrainians – Mālpils high school in Sigulda municipality.
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