Education and Science
Baltic space tender open for applications
Baltic space tender open for applications
The European Space Agency (ESA) has published an invitation to tender for the development of an Earth Observation (EO) Baltic Platform for Governmental Services, with a total budget of 900,000 euros. 
Nearly a third of Latvian teachers plan to leave job, survey shows
Nearly a third of Latvian teachers plan to leave job, survey shows
A survey "Teachers' voice" on how teachers feel and see themselves in the profession has been carried out in Latvia for the second time. The survey data, published on May 18, show that in 2022, the number of teachers who do not feel good in their job and are planning to leave has risen significantly.
Latvia statistics yearbook published in English
Latvia statistics yearbook published in English
There's good news for fact-checkers, number-crunchers and data-downloaders with the publication of a new 'Statistics in Brief 2023' brochure, in English, from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB).
Are Russian schools in Latvia ready to teach in official language?
Are Russian schools in Latvia ready to teach in official language?
As of September 1, schools which have taught in Russian so far will have to gradually transition to teaching solely in the state official language – Latvian. Not much time is left to prepare. The readiness among different schools varies, Latvian Radio reported on May 2.
Could Estonian and Lithuanian be taught more widely in Latvia?
Could Estonian and Lithuanian be taught more widely in Latvia?
Despite the fact that Latvia has a border with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south and the countries share a great deal in terms of history and culture, there is currently little appetite for learning the Estonian or Lithuanian languages, reported LTV May 1.  
Growing number of science exam-takers at schools
Growing number of science exam-takers at schools
This year, compared to last year, far more pupils about to graduate high school choose to take biology, physics, and chemistry as their elective exams, said the State Educational Content Center on April 26.
Teachers return to work after three-day strike
Teachers return to work after three-day strike
The three-day teacher strike ended on Wednesday, so on Thursday, April 27, teachers will return to work, Inga Vanaga, head of the Latvian Education and Science Workers Union (LIZDA), said in the “Today's Question” program of Latvian Television on Wednesday evening.
Extra 4 million euros allocated to teachers' wages
Extra 4 million euros allocated to teachers' wages
On Wednesday, April 26, the government approved amendments to the Cabinet rules submitted by the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM), granting an additional EUR 4,168,067 for targeted grants to local governments to increase teacher pay.
Teachers' union and government come to conceptual agreement
Teachers' union and government come to conceptual agreement
The Latvian Education and Science Workers' Trade Union (LIZDA) and the government's representatives have reached a conceptual agreement on the increase in teachers' pay, with additional funding of €4.168 million, LIZDA's head Inga Vanaga and Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) said after a meeting on Tuesday, April 25.
School down for closure hopes Poland will keep it alive
School down for closure hopes Poland will keep it alive
In the small town of Krāslava close to the Latvian-Belarusian border, a Polish school has been working for over 30 years. This winter, the municipality decided to close it. While there has been no response from the Education and Science Ministry, the school itself hopes to stay open with the help of Poland. Rus.LSM.lv went to Krāslava to see the situation firsthand.
Latvia's teachers begin three-day strike(update)
Latvia's teachers begin three-day strike(update)
Having reached no agreement with the government on systematically raising teachers' salaries and balancing their loads, the Latvian Education and Science Workers' Trade Union (LIZDA) starts a three-day strike on Monday, April 24, with more than 19,000 teachers participating, and goes on a protest march in Rīga from the trade union building to the Saeima.
Government adopts teacher wage raise schedule
Government adopts teacher wage raise schedule
As of September 1, teachers' pay grade will increase, according to amendments to Cabinet regulations adopted at an extraordinary government meeting on April 21. The quality of these amendments is doubted by the Latvian Education and Science Workers' Union (LIZDA), which has decided to launch a three-day strike on 24 April.
Knowledge gap between Latvia's urban and rural students
Knowledge gap between Latvia's urban and rural students
The average academic achievements of Latvian pupils were growing very rapidly about 15 years ago, but now seem to have stalled. Also, a gap is observed in the academic results of pupils studying in Rīga schools and those outside Rīga, Latvian Television reported on April 20.
Same job, different pay: the story of two physics teachers in Latvia
Same job, different pay: the story of two physics teachers in Latvia
The teacher's salary is influenced by a variety of factors, meaning that for the same position, one can be overloaded and underpaid whereas another can work a decent load and get decent pay. Latvian Television met with two physics teachers on April 19, Solveta and Kārlis, with vastly different loads and wages.
Teachers' strike set to go ahead if wages don't rise
Teachers' strike set to go ahead if wages don't rise
The Latvian Education and Science Workers' Union (LIZDA) does not intend to abandon its intention to conduct a strike, set to start on April 24, LIZDA's head told Latvian Radio on Monday. Meanwhile the government is planning to adopt the salary-increase plan on Friday, Latvian Television reported on April 17.
Teachers and medical workers announce joint protest march
Teachers and medical workers announce joint protest march
Medical workers will also take part in the planned protest march of the Latvian Education and Science Workers Union (LIZDA), which is scheduled to take place on April 24. Overall, at least 7,500 people could take part, head of LIZDA Inga Vanaga said on April 11.
Ministry dissatisfied with Saeima's debate over school entrance exams
Ministry dissatisfied with Saeima's debate over school entrance exams
A proposal recently emerged in the Saeima to ban schools from conducting entrance exams selecting the highest-achieving students. The discussion sparked controversy in society, following which the Saeima removed the question from its agenda. The Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) indicated on March 30 that the Saeima has in fact made it difficult to organize entrance exams this year, Latvian Radio reported.
New education center in Salaspils to tell stories of plant life
New education center in Salaspils to tell stories of plant life
At the end of this year, at the Salaspils National Botanical Garden, a new environmental education center, "Botania", is opening its doors. It will allow everyone to explore the plant world and gain knowledge about nature conservation and biodiversity issues, Latvian Television reported on March 30.
It's RSU Research Week
It's RSU Research Week
A grand total of 1,188 researchers, both young and experienced, from Latvia and abroad, are ready to present their research papers at the five international conferences that are part of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Research Week 2023.
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