Riga Continues to Improve Its Education Institution Network

To ensure access to quality basic education in the capital’s neighbourhoods, develop the modernisation of school learning environments, promote improvements in the quality of education at secondary schools, and at the same time address access to preschool education in the neighbourhoods, Riga will improve and optimise its network of education institutions. The decision was made at a meeting of the Riga City Council Commission for the Optimisation of the Education Institution Network on Wednesday, 13 February.

Continuing the plan to improve Riga’s school network, launched in 2010, and implementing the action area of the Riga Development Programme—quality, modern education—in 2019–2021 the municipality will focus on ensuring access to quality education in the city’s neighbourhoods by combining school resources.

In the Jugla neighbourhood, Riga Ezerkrasti Basic School, located at 89 Malienas Street, will be merged with Riga Jugla Secondary School, located at 64 Kvēles Street; in future, the learning process will take place in both school buildings.

In Ziepniekkalns, it is planned to establish a new Ziepniekkalns Secondary School by merging Ziepniekkalns Primary School, located at 4 Īslīces Street, with Riga Secondary School No. 94, located at 26 Ozolciema Street. Classes would continue in both buildings.

In Purvciems, Riga Secondary School No. 60 is planned to be merged with Riga Classical Gymnasium, located at 38 Purvciema Street. This school, too, will continue the learning process in two buildings.

In Čiekurkalns, after assessing the resources of Riga Secondary School No. 37 and Riga Jānis Poruks Secondary School, it was concluded that both schools have an optimal number of pupils for the establishment of one strong, modern basic school in the neighbourhood. At present, it is planned to allow pupils at both education institutions to complete their studies in the secondary-school grades. The issue of establishing a basic school in the neighbourhood will be reconsidered in a year.

To ensure the full implementation of the curriculum and competitive remuneration for teachers, schools with small numbers of pupils and low class occupancy will be closed, with the implementation of their educational programmes transferred to other schools. The implementation of the educational programmes of Riga Basic School No. 7 will be transferred to Riga Secondary School No. 31, while the educational programmes of Riga Secondary School No. 29 will be taken over by Riga Secondary School No. 46.

At the same commission meeting, it was also decided to assess the development of the secondary-school network in accordance with the level of education provided at these schools.

It is also planned to merge Riga Boarding Basic School—Development Centre with Riga Sanatorium Boarding Basic School. The learning process will take place at 384a Brīvības gatve, while preschool education groups will be opened in the vacated building at 24 Stokholmas Street from 1 September 2019.

To provide broader opportunities for implementing non-formal education programmes, it is also planned to improve the children’s and youth interest centres (BJC). For example, BJC “Altona”, “Kurzeme” and “Zolitūde” would be merged; BJC “Mīlgrāvis” is planned to be merged with BJC “Laimīte”; BJC “Bolderāja” would be merged with Riga Secondary School No. 19; while the Children’s and Youth Environmental Education Centre “Riga School of Natural Sciences” will be merged with the Riga Young Technicians’ Centre. Classes would continue to be held at the existing premises.

It is also planned to merge the “Rīdzene” Children’s and Youth Sports School with Riga Children’s and Youth Sports School No. 3, while retaining the existing locations for classes.

The reorganisation of the education institutions must still be decided by the Riga City Council Committee for Education, Culture and Sport, while the final decision will be adopted at a meeting of the Riga City Council.