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Compatriots in Latvia call for legislative status of Russian language at schools

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Compatriots in Latvia call for legislative status of Russian language at schools


18.10.2017

pixabay.comSocial activists representing interests of Russian-speaking community in Latvia have requested not to introduce Latvian language as an official language at schools for national minorities. The corresponding public letter was directed to Prime Minister of Latvia Maris Kuchinskis, TASS reports.

The letter states that previous reforms of 2004 and 2012 had negative influence on quality of education and representatives of national minorities showed slow progress.

Social activists have reminded that many European countries support multilanguage education at schools. Ukraine was the only example of cancellation of such system. Social activists called Prime Minister for giving a legislative status to the law warranting teaching of basic school subjects in Russian language and other languages of minor national groups.

Latvian Ministry of Education plans to officially introduce Latvian language in all secondary schools starting 2019/2020. The majority of parliament members supports this initiative.

It is noteworthy that the older generation of Latvia has negative attitude about this initiative unlike young people under 29 years of age. Many young people are sure that it is high time the reform happened. National minorities will have a chance to learn the native language and literature as well as subjects connected to history and culture.

It should be reminded that the initiative of Latvian Ministry of Education was approved by President Raimonds Vejonis, however he requested to be well prepared the shift to the Latvian language and hire enough teachers of Latvian in schools earlier considered as Russian. The deputy of the Latvian Parliament Janis Adamsons has claimed that the shift of Russian schools to the Latvian language is provocative. He has foreseen unrest in society, which is to destabilize the situation in the country.

Russian community of Latvia, Russian Union of Latvia, Headquarters of Russian schools protection and some other organizations have already claimed about their protests. The nearest protest campaign is scheduled for October 23.

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