Private Schools Sound the Alarm: New Rules Will Strip Teachers of State Salaries 0 10

The association is dissatisfied with the proposed requirements from the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) regarding the minimum number of students in classes, according to which only those municipalities and private schools that meet this criterion will be able to receive state funding for teachers' salaries in the future.

For example, in cities and densely populated areas, there must be at least 120 students in groups for grades 1-3, and the same number in the following groups - grades 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12.

The association considers this initiative "hasty and unfair," as the infrastructure of private schools and the sizes of classrooms currently do not meet these criteria. The changes will require schools to construct larger buildings with spacious classrooms. "These are investments of millions of euros, without economic justification, which no private school in Latvia can afford," stated the association's chairperson Anna Ermakovicha.

As reported, in October, the government supported a draft amendment to the education law, which provides for the establishment of student numbers in class groups and the order of school funding.

The amendments will give the government the opportunity, in cooperation with social partners and founders of educational institutions, to develop Cabinet of Ministers regulations defining the criteria for accessibility and quality of education.

According to the draft law, the state will no longer finance teachers' salaries if schools do not meet the quantitative indicators set by the government regarding the number of students in class groups.

In such cases, teachers' salaries will be paid by the founder of the educational institution - the municipality or a private individual.

The MoES has been tasked with presenting draft regulations for the implementation of the reform for government consideration by February 28, 2026.