RIGA - The Constitutional Court today recognized as constitutional the norm according to which general education programs at the pre-school and primary education levels are to be implemented only in the state language in state and municipal educational institutions.
The Court concluded that the state-established minority language and cultural history interest education program, which is free of charge for all pupils in pre-primary and primary education for three academic hours per week, adequately ensures the preservation and development of minority language, culture and ethnic uniqueness.
In October 2022, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Education and the Law on General Education, which stipulate that in Latvia, also in pre-school and primary education, a gradual transition to teaching only in the state language will take place within three years.
The transition to Latvian language as the language of instruction in Latvian minority schools' primary education programs began with the first classes, grades 1, 4 and 7.
From 1 September 2024, Latvian-language-only teaching will also be implemented in grades 2, 5 and 8, and from September 1, 2025, in grades 3, 6 and 9.
The case was initiated following a petition by several individuals. They asked the Court to assess whether the amendments to the Education Law and the General Education Law comply with the Constitution.
As reported, the Court previously handed down a judgment in another case concerning norms providing for the acquisition of education in private educational institutions only in the state language, ruling that this norm complies with the Constitution.
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