Education and Science
Latvia's R&D spend still small by EU standards
Latvia's R&D spend still small by EU standards
In 2022, the EU spent €352 billion on research & development (R&D), 6.34% more than in the previous year (€331 billion) and 48.52% more than in 2012 (€237 billion)., according to Eurostat figures published December 1. 
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. 
Audit finds shortcomings in state-planned adult education
Audit finds shortcomings in state-planned adult education
In an audit of adult education opportunities in Latvia conducted by State Audit Office (VK), it has been found that state aid is prevalent for well-educated people, as well as functions of institutions responsible for education overlap, the VK said in a statement on November 22.
University of Latvia to consolidate its departments
University of Latvia to consolidate its departments
The Council of the University of Latvia (LU) has supported the LU rector's offer to create a model of five faculties (schools or departments) instead of the current 13, the Chairman of the LU Council Ivars Kalviņš confirmed November 17.
World Economic Forum backs Latvian Education Accelerator
World Economic Forum backs Latvian Education Accelerator
The World Economic Forum, in partnership with Swedbank, Accenture, and the Ministries of Education and Science, and Economics, is announcing the launch of a Latvian Education Accelerator, planned at the end of November 2023.
Invitation to Franco-Latvian AI discussion
Invitation to Franco-Latvian AI discussion
In collaboration with the French Embassy, the French Institute in Latvia and Riga TechGirls, Riga Technical University is inviting interested persons to participate in a dialogue on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
School network change plans cause concern among local governments
School network change plans cause concern among local governments
Sorting out the school network is an issue where there is traditionally a lot of friction between the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) and the local governments – school founders. Now, to avoid causing anxiety, the Ministry has decided not to make the proposed school network change map public as usual, but it is known 60 schools could be affected by changes as early as next year, Latvian Television reported on November 14.
35 teachers found to have insufficient Latvian language skills
35 teachers found to have insufficient Latvian language skills
In September and October of this year, information was received from the State Language Centre (VVC) regarding 35 teachers with inadequate knowledge of the official – Latvian – language, the State Service of Education Quality (IKVD) said Monday, November 13.
Teachers' union repeatedly points to unresolved wages issues
Teachers' union repeatedly points to unresolved wages issues
Some teachers' salary for October is likely to be lower than promised, and problems are in calculations at both national, local government, and educational institutions level, Inga Vanaga, head of the Latvian Educationa and Science Workers' Association (LIZDA), said in an interview on the Latvian Television morning newscast November 13.
President proposes school bag search law
President proposes school bag search law
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs announced on November 7 that he had signed and sent to the Saeima two legislative initiatives calling for amendments to the Education Law and one amendment to the Law On Holidays, Remembrance and Commemorative Days.
Rēzekne suspected of arbitrarily calculating teacher wages
Rēzekne suspected of arbitrarily calculating teacher wages
In Rēzekne, teachers' salaries might not have been calculated as provided for in the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations, the Latvian Education and Science Workers' Union (LIZDA) has stated. The Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) has also added to the concerns. Rezekne Head of Education does not agree with the allegations, Latvian Television reported November 1.
Teachers' union and Education Ministry continue talks about wages
Teachers' union and Education Ministry continue talks about wages
In order to address uncertainties in the issue of teachers' salaries, the Latvian Education and Science Workers' Union (LIZDA) met with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) October 19 but failed to reach an agreement, Latvian Radio reported. 
Border town Valka wants to teach Estonian at schools
Border town Valka wants to teach Estonian at schools
The idea of teaching Estonian in Latvian schools is being considered in the Latvian-Estonian border area. Some parents and children in Valka's side would love to have that opportunity. The main problem is the lack of wages and teachers, Latvian Television reported October 19. 
Latvia will help rebuild Ukraine's ICT infrastructure
Latvia will help rebuild Ukraine's ICT infrastructure
On October 18, 2023, Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation signed a 10-point Memorandum of Cooperation with Latvia's Ministry of Transportation to support Ukraine in the immediate restoration of broadband internet as well as support the country's development of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and its integration into EU and joint projects. 
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.
Teachers' union: Ministry's wage calculations are incorrect
Teachers' union: Ministry's wage calculations are incorrect
The issue of teachers' salaries remains unclear, causing growing outrage among teachers - there is even a cut for some instead of the promised pay rise. Inga Vanaga, Chair of the Latvian Union of Education and Science Workers (LIZDA), said in an interview with Latvian Radio October 17 that salaries have not been calculated correctly possibly also due to staff changes at the Education Ministry.
Teacher wage issue still unresolved
Teacher wage issue still unresolved
While the issue of teacher salaries seemed to have been resolved this school year, disappointment set in for many teachers when payday came. For some, wages are even smaller than before. The Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) says financial resources have been allocated to local governments, while in local governments say the funds are not enough, Latvian Television reported October 16.
More threat e-mails received by Latvia's schools Monday(update)
More threat e-mails received by Latvia's schools Monday(update)
During the night to Monday, several hundred schools and pre-schools, as well as learning centers throughout Latvia have received threat letters in their e-mails. The state police have evaluated them, and risks are considered low, according to the State Police's entry on social media Monday morning.
Latvia working on 'quantum communications' network
Latvia working on 'quantum communications' network
The Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC) is collaborating with communications firm Tet, the Electronic Communications Office of Latvia and the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Latvia to begin work on the formation of a national quantum communications infrastructure system and network, reports Labs of Latvia.
Adult education project comes to a close
Adult education project comes to a close
The lifelong education program “Learning for adults”, which was running for six years, has closed. In the future, it is likely to be replaced by an even wider curriculum and accessibility, LSM's Ieva Strazdiņa reports Tuesday, September 26.

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