Covid-19, Crisis, Education and Science, Latvia

After hearing the opinions of the public and experts, the ministry will suggest at the Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee's meeting today that state examinations for 9th-graders be cancelled this year.

The ministry's decision is based on consultations with the Health Ministry, surveys of students, and taking into consideration other European Union countries' decisions.

According to the Education and Science Ministry, examinations for high school graduates, just as in most other EU countries, will be organized in Latvia this year, while exams for 9th grade students will be canceled, except for the state language examinations for those minority school students who want to take the exams.

A number of EU countries, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Spain, have decided to cancel school-leaving examinations for 9th grade students this year, while exams for 12th grade students will take place in these countries.

At the same time, at least five EU member states have decided to organize examinations for 9th grade students this year.

Education and Science Minister Ilga Suplinska (New Conservative Party) points out that it is important that high schools gradually switch to some form of admission tests as part of competency-based education.

It was earlier decided that examinations for 12th grade students would take place from June 2 to July 7, and for 9th grade students on June 16 and 17.