Latvian Education Law Faces Scrutiny Over Distance Learning Restrictions
Riga, Latvia – – Proposed amendments to Latvia’s Education Law, aimed at restricting distance learning for students in grades 1-6, are facing increasing criticism and calls for reconsideration. The changes, recently approved by the Saeima on , have sparked debate over parental rights, educational accessibility, and potential international legal ramifications.
The amendments seek to replace distance learning with part-time attendance and introduce combined learning models for primary school students. Distance learning or homeschooling would only be permitted for one year, contingent upon assessment by local governments who must identify specific circumstances – social, health-related, or accessibility issues – justifying the alternative educational approach. Exceptions are planned for children residing abroad and students over 18 who have not completed basic education.
However, President Edgars Rinkēvičs has already returned the amendments to the Saeima for further review, expressing concerns about the speed of the changes and the need for clarity, predictability, and a reasonable implementation timeline. According to presidential advisor Mārtiņš Drēģeris, the President acknowledges the legislature’s commendable efforts to improve education quality and clarify terminology within the Education Law, but believes the substantial changes require more careful consideration.
The organization “Association “Family”” has formally appealed to Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee Chair Zariņa-Stūre, urging a re-evaluation of the proposed legislation. In a letter, the association argues that the restrictions on distance learning and homeschooling could infringe upon fundamental rights and potentially conflict with international human rights norms, specifically citing Article 18 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The association warns that pursuing the amendments could necessitate legal challenges in both Latvian and international courts, potentially damaging the reputation of the ruling coalition, including the New Unity party. They point to recent developments in Russia, where proposals to increase state control over homeschooling – including mandatory assessments and potential forced return to traditional schooling for failing students – demonstrate a concerning trend towards limiting parental autonomy in education.
“Latvia, as a democratic nation and member of the European Union, risks aligning its education policy with more authoritarian models by imposing such restrictions,” the association stated in its letter. “This would disregard parents’ primary responsibility and the state’s supportive role, as outlined in the aforementioned UN conventions.”
Concerns about the effectiveness of distance learning were highlighted by the Saeima Press Service, which noted that exam results for students in distance learning schools are significantly lower than the national average. Specifically, 84% of mathematics exam takers in distance learning schools scored below average, with some schools reporting as many as 38% failing to achieve even a 10% score.
Currently, approximately 12,500 students in Latvia are engaged in remote learning, with nearly 3,600 in primary school. Around 81 students are homeschooled. As of the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year, 16 out of 583 Latvian educational institutions offering basic education programs for grades 1-9 provided remote learning options, with ten of those focusing on grades 1-6.
The Saeima has referred the amendments back to the Committee on Education, Culture, and Science for further review, with proposals being accepted until . President Rinkēvičs has suggested delaying implementation until at least 2027, allowing for a more thorough and considered approach to revising the regulations.
The debate underscores the complex balance between ensuring educational quality and respecting parental choice, a challenge facing policymakers as they navigate the evolving landscape of education in Latvia.
