Education and Science, EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Funds, Latvia

Previously, the government had twice deferred its decision on the teacher academy’s liquidation by merging it with the University of Latvia. The ruling coalition explained the repeated delays by the necessity to receive additional information from the Education and Science Ministry, including in response to Ombudsman Juris Jansons’ criticism of flaws and uncertainties in the decision-making process.

The Latvian Trade Union of Educational and Science Employees and the teacher academy’s administration also raised strong objections to the plan to close the academy, claiming that the decision would be unlawful, rushed and reckless. After debating the issue at length, the Latvian Student Association also decided not to back the Education and Science Ministry’s plan to merge the teacher academy with the University of Latvia.4

The government debated the teacher academy’s closure plan for three hours today. Environmental Protection and Regional Development Minister Kaspars Gerhards described it as the longest debate in a decade. Representatives of all the parties concerned also took part in the Cabinet sitting.

Both the teacher academy’s administration and social partners slammed the Education and Science Ministry’s decision, arguing that it ignore a number of commitments and obligations.

Upon hearing arguments from all the parties concerned, as well as Education and Science Minister Karlis Sadurskis’ (Unity) explanations, Gerhards remained the only Cabinet minister standing by his position that although the “legal and emotional” aspects of the plan had been discussed in detail, uncertainties still remained about the teacher academy’s branches and a possible interruption of the study process at the beginning of the coming academic year.

Under the decision taken today by the government, Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy will be liquidated in six months’ time, merging it with the University of Latvia. The decision and its legal implications have been repeatedly criticized by the Latvian Trade Union of Educational and Science Employees and the teacher academy, as well as the Higher Education Council and Sorainen law office, whose findings about the academy’s planned liquidation were commissioned by the teachers’ trade union.

The Education and Science Ministry maintains, however, that the teacher academy’s liquidation will have a beneficial effect on the economy and that it will reduce the administrative burden on study programs and public administration.

Under the decree drawn up by the Education and Science Ministry, the University of Latvia will take over most of Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy’s study programs. Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music will take over the music and dance-related study programs. The University of Latvia is expected to ensure teaching of the existing study programs at the teacher academy’s branches in Latvia’s regions.

The University of Latvia will also take over Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy’s real estate and finances.

As for the teacher academy’s students, it has been decided that the Education and Science Ministry has to ensure that the students can choose to continue their studies at the following institutions of higher education: BA School of Business and Finance, Riga Business College, Riga Technical University (RTU), Liepaja University, Ventspils University College, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Rezekne Higher Education Institution or Daugavpils University. Tuition terms for these students will remain unchanged.