Protesters to rally for Russian language education in Latvia

Protesters in Latvia are set to rally today in support of Russian language education in schools.

Demonstrators will protest against Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma's recent statement that Latvia will switch to state-funded education exclusively in Latvian "sooner or later."

The coalition's agreement stipulates that state-funded minority schools will have to switch to education in Latvian on September 1, 2018, except for the respective minority's language classes and ethnic culture subjects.

Rally organizers claim the plans do not promote peace and harmony in Latvian society.

Latvian Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete will speak to the protesters before the Cabinet meeting today, reports LETA. 

The rally will be held at the Cabinet of Ministers in Riga building from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today in support of education in the Russian language, as the Latvian Union of Russians representative Aleksandrs Filejs told LETA.

Meanwhile, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said his country were considering opening specialist Russian schools in the Baltic countries. His comments stirred controversy in the Baltics with some calling the plans 'unacceptable.'

What do you think? Should Russian be taught in schools in the Baltics or should schools switch to Latvian "sooner or later" Let us know with your comments