Latvia's parliament has enacted significant restrictions on distance education for students in grades 1 to 6, effective from the 2027/2028 school year.
On January 22, the Saeima of Latvia approved amendments to the Education Law which will severely limit the availability of distance education for students from grades 1 to 6. The new regulations will mandate a shift from purely distance learning to part-time in-person attendance, along with the introduction of combined learning formats. Distance education or home schooling for grades 1-6 will only be permitted for one year, and only for those pupils who have undergone an evaluation by the local municipality.
Starting from September 1, 2027, students in grades 1 and 4 will no longer be able to utilize distance education, while by September 2028, this will also apply to grades 2 and 5. Finally, by September 1, 2029, grades 3 and 6 will also be affected. In addition to these restrictions, students in grades 1 to 6 will no longer be allowed to receive primary education at home as of the same date in 2027. The Latvian Ministry of Education and Science has justified these changes by referring to poor examination results among students, indicating a trend they deem unsustainable.
The passage of this legislation has faced previous challenges in the Saeima due to insufficient quorum, demonstrating some level of contention surrounding the implementation and acceptance of these educational reforms. As the country transitions over the following years to this new educational structure, stakeholders including educators, parents, and local authorities will need to adapt to these significant changes in the educational landscape of Latvia.
