In the lead-up to a crucial vote by the Jēkabpils municipal council, over a hundred local residents gathered outside the town hall to voice their concerns regarding proposed reforms to the school network. The reforms have been met with significant discontent, particularly from parents who fear the impact on their children's education, including longer school hours and logistical challenges arising from school relocations. One concerned mother expressed her frustration at the early rising required of her children and questioned the adequacy of the municipal council's plans for the future of education in the area.

Parents have raised numerous questions about how the implementation of these reforms will affect transportation for students, the provision of extracurricular activities, and the tangible benefits of such changes. Community members, including fathers of students, pointed out that they have not received satisfactory answers from officials regarding these critical concerns. The government's proposal for the educational reform is driven primarily by a significant decrease in the student population, which does not meet the standards set by national regulations for operating schools.

Despite community opposition, a majority of council members voted in favor of the changes to the school system. This decision highlights the ongoing challenges facing rural education in Latvia, where declining enrollment has forced municipalities to reconsider their educational infrastructure. The implications of these reforms will likely affect not only the educational landscape but also the job security of local teaching staff, with as many as 18 teachers at risk of losing their positions due to the proposed school consolidations.