This week, the Latvian government is approaching the finish line on the long-discussed school network reform, with another round of discussions scheduled for a joint inter-institutional meeting regarding financial regulations for teacher salaries. These regulations establish specific criteria for the minimum size of schools required to receive full state funding, signaling that many municipalities may have to make unpopular decisions concerning the future of high schools. The TV3 program 'Nekā personīga' highlights that this reform aims to address several critical tasks: ensuring high-quality education and finding ways to increase teacher salaries. The Ministry of Education believes the only viable path forward is to concentrate resources in larger schools, which poses a significant challenge for small municipalities that resist such changes. For these areas, the presence of a local school is crucial in preventing residents from relocating, as schools play an essential role in community cohesion. Moreover, students and teachers are also opposed to this plan, as what appears favorable on paper might translate into significant real-life problems. Information presented by Minister Anda Čakša’s report on the school network reform for 2024 has met considerable resistance, indicating strong dissent among communities expected to be affected. This reform, primarily aimed at consolidating educational resources and addressing financial constraints, raises concerns about maintaining educational quality and access in smaller municipalities, prompting fears that education may suffer as the government seeks efficiency in expenditure.