Gradual reduction in number of Ukrainian pupils studying at Latvian schools

RIGA - The number of Ukrainian students who will study in Latvian schools in the new academic year is gradually decreasing, Janis Ozols, adviser to the Minister of Education and Science, explained at the session of the Saeima's Education, Culture and Science Committee.

This trend can be seen because several Ukrainian families have chosen to return to Ukraine, as well as some parents have chosen to obtain their children's education via distance learning.

According to the current data collected in the State Education Information System, it was concluded that currently 3,126 Ukrainian pupils are ready to start education in the new academic year. The number of such pupils is 1,018 less than it was on May 31, when the total number of Ukrainian pupils was 4,144.

1,279 Ukrainian children will attend kindergartens, and 1,847 pupils will study in primary and secondary schools.

Liene Voronenko, head of the State Educational Content Center (VISC), stated that after September 5, there will be more accurate information on how many Ukrainian pupils are studying in educational institutions in the new academic year.

The Ministry of Education and Science plans to continue to provide various support mechanisms in the learning process of Ukrainian children, for example, an individual study plan will be developed for each child at educational institutions, learning groups for Latvian language learning will be provided, and the meetings and consultations organized by VISC will continue every month.

On the other hand, the head of the Riga City Council's Education Department, Ivars Balamovskis, pointed out that the biggest demand among Ukrainians is still for educational opportunities at the Riga Ukrainian High School, where it is predicted that around 150 Ukrainian students will study in the new academic year.

Balamovskis also pointed out that there are many Ukrainian children who have come to Latvia in the summer or at the end of the summer and therefore they have not had time to study in Latvian schools or summer camps.

In addition, MP Evija Papule pointed out that Ukrainian parents whose children do not study in Latvian schools also need to be provided with education allowances for children, which is currently not being done.