In Riga, the local government has announced the closure of ten kindergartens amid a sharp decrease in the number of children enrolled, attributing this decision to over 20,000 children currently in preschool and more than 2000 vacant spots available. The council has rejected several petitions from residents seeking to preserve four specific kindergartens, asserting that all children will be accommodated in nearby early childhood education facilities. The city plans to offer different job placements to affected teachers and reorganize additional schools as part of a broader restructuring effort.

The decision has sparked criticism from opposition members who argue that the deliberation on educational institution reorganizations has occurred without their involvement. Several neighborhoods have reported that many kindergartens are operating with low enrollment, with some areas experiencing declines in child populations by up to 50%. The council believes that rather than maintaining underutilized facilities, resources could be better allocated to improve the remaining kindergartens, teacher salaries, and educational environments.

The local government has highlighted the necessity for educational offerings in the Latvian language to remain consistent throughout all stages, including in kindergartens. This restructuring is seen as a response to the changing demographics and the need to optimize educational resources in the face of declining enrollment figures, which indicate a dramatic 40% drop compared to previous years. As the city navigates these changes, it also contemplates the establishment of day centers in place of some of the closed kindergartens to continue supporting children's educational needs.