The system of assessments and exams in schools is becoming increasingly cumbersome, and for schools, the process of conducting them is a huge burden, writes Diena.
This also applies to the assessment of work — both in terms of human resources and finances, not to mention the issuance of graduation certificates to students, which is extended until July. It is concerning that the number of children exempt from exams is increasing, especially among high school students.
For years, there has been debate in the education system about how to improve the situation, but an optimal solution has yet to be found. Currently, there are three types of state assessments in schools: an exam (conducted at the end of a subject course and educational level and assessed by the school), a monitoring assessment, and a centralized exam. The latter two are centrally conducted by the State Education Development Agency (VIAA).
After completing the 9th grade, students must take exams in Latvian language, a foreign language (in the format of a monitoring assessment), mathematics, and starting from September 1, 2026, also natural sciences. In high school, exams are taken in Latvian language, foreign language, and mathematics — at least at the optimal level, in natural sciences — at the general level, as well as in physics, chemistry, or biology — at least at the optimal level. Additionally, one centralized exam must be taken at the highest level after completing an advanced course.
The minimum passing threshold for the 9th grade exam this year is 15%, in high school - 20%, and from the 2026/2027 academic year - 20% at both educational levels.
Kaspars Špule, head of the state assessment department at VIAA, stated at a meeting of the parliamentary commission on education, culture, and science that since the introduction of the new assessment system in the 2022/2023 academic year, the average exam results have remained stable overall.
Regarding students exempted from exams last year, according to a representative of VIAA, the previously publicly mentioned 3,000 exempted students turned out to be an error, and in reality, their number was significantly lower: in the 9th grades - 292, which is 1% of all ninth graders, and in high school - 406, or 2%. 80% of students were exempt from all exams, while the rest were exempt from two or three. The highest number of such students was in state technical schools, noted Špule.
