2026

The information on 2026 will follow soon.

2025

Broader cooperation in ensuring the holistic development of children 

November, the Cabinet of Ministers approved amendments to the regulation on the implementation of the project  "Establishment of an interdisciplinary cooperation and support system for the healthy development and successful self-realization of children" funded by the European Union funds. The aim of the amendments is to strengthen the capacity of the early preventive support system and ensure even wider interdisciplinary cooperation between health, education, and social work specialists in supporting children's needs. 

The amendments expanded the circle of cooperation partners, including the Children's Clinical University Hospital (BKUS), which will provide methodological support in piloting and implementing early support services necessary for children. BKUS will be responsible for developing a methodology for the work of multi-professional child development specialist teams, as well as for coordinating the work of teams established in the regions and methodological management. 

The University of Latvia and Riga Stradiņš University are also involved in the project as cooperation partners to promote the development of evidence-based services in the field of early support for children. These scientific institutions will contribute to the development, validation and adaptation of new interventions and tools to expand the support services available to children with developmental risks, such as language, learning difficulties, hyperactivity, or anxiety.  

The approval of the amendments opens the possibility of creating multi-professional child development specialist teams in the regions of Latvia to provide interdisciplinary support to children with developmental risks. These teams, which will include several health, education, and social work professionals, will provide integrated support to children and their families, solving problems related not only to the child’s health, but also to social, emotional, psychological, and educational needs. 

The aim of the initiative is to implement a comprehensive set of diagnostic, preventive, consultative, early intervention and support services focused on the individual needs of the child. This will allow for the timely identification of children’s developmental risks and provide the necessary assistance, preventing the formation of disorders and promoting the healthy and positive development of children.
 

Initiatives launched in 2025, targeting 5- and 6-year-olds in preschool education

STEM and civic engagement extended experience

The initiative implemented by the State Education Development Agency will provide children with the opportunity to attend STEM and civic engagement events that support the achievement of learning outcomes and goals in the curriculum, in order to diversify the learning experience and create interest in these areas and promote further learning in this area. It will allow preschool children to discover science and civic engagement through play and hands-on experiences. 

Extended or extra-curricular activities for kindergartens will be offered in the following way: (1) pre-schools search the catalog for activities, (2) apply to the provider (a form will be created where providers can offer time of activities), (3) group of children attend and participate in an event.

Extra-curricular learning providers i.e. stakeholders may include: 

• Science Centers
• Companies
• Non-governmental organizations
• Public organizations
• Tertiary education institutions, etc.

Benefits and impact from this initiative are:

• Equal opportunities for children and young people to have an extended learning experience
• Early experience plays a key role in future learning
• Highlighting the importance of STEM and civic participation
• Strengthening stakeholder cooperation in education with a lasting impact on stakeholders' understanding of learning.

The initiative corresponds to task 2.1.1 of the Education Development Guidelines 2021-2027

To ensure the effective implementation of the improved learning content and approach in general education (including at pre-primary level), in particular with a focus on inclusive approach, interdisciplinarity, STEAM, transversal skills (digital literacy, civic participation), social-emotional learning and in-depth learning. 

Investment in the acquisition and development of educational materials

The additional funding for educational materials is intended for the purchase of learning aids (books and workbooks) for general education content. Support for educational materials is planned for all educational institutions implementing preschool programs for children aged five and up until the start of primary education. 

More information on this initiative is available at subchapter 13.2 National reforms in school education.

2024

As of January 1, teachers' salaries are increasing

From January 1, 2024, the minimum salary rate for preschool teachers it will increase by 23%, equalizing it with the lowest monthly salary rate for other general education teachers.  

To ensure high-quality and high-quality education, while continuing to increase the salary of teachers, the Ministry of Education and Science has prepared a conceptually new model of financing teachers' salaries. The minimum hourly salary rate for preschool teachers will increase from the current 7.75 euros or 1240 euros per month to 9.54 euros, which is 23.1% more than before, reaching 1526 euros per month for a 40-hour work week. 

The lowest monthly salary rates for heads of general education institutions, as well as educational methodologists, are also increased.