Analytics, Budget, Education and Science, Latvia

Tatjana Volkova.

No official decisions on reducing funding for the higher education have been officially announced so far, but in connection with the expected cuts for Education and Science Ministry's programs, several universities are uncertain about their future and express concerns that their budgets could be significantly curbed, informs LETA.

Tatjana Volkova underlines that members of the Rectors Council deem reduced financial resources for universities unacceptable: "The bottom line has been reached and funding can be reduced no further; the state must have higher education institutions that prepare experts in the fields of linguists, culture experts, musicians, police officers, physicists, chemists and defense specialists," she emphasizes, "already now the situation in the sector of higher education is critical; yet another reduction of funding would be a clear signal for young people to go study abroad, as, for example, in the Scandinavian countries, the higher education is free of charge."

As the rector points out, already now Scandinavians are active in Latvian market, attracting students for their universities.

Education budget cuts would means also leaving a number of university professors without jobs. "The government should think about the long-term effects and realize that universities raise competitiveness of the state," Volkova underlines.

Rectors' demands for the new government remain as before - to renew at least 50 percent state support for research work in universities, to pass the Higher Education Law as soon as possible and to ensure universities' openness to foreign students.

The new prime minister Valdis Dombrovskis (New Era) had planned to hear out members of the Rectors Council, however, eventually the meeting was cancelled. Still, the rectors hope that it could take place in near future.

This past Wednesday, Education and Science Minister Tatjana Koke (Union of Greens and Farmers) reached an agreement with Prime Minister designate Valdis Dombrovskis (New Era) on reducing funding for education and science sector by a total of LVL 46 million. Out of the 46 million, LVL 34 million will be saved by canceling earmarked subsidies for local governments, and LVL 12 million by altering education programs.