On Tuesday, 10 May, the Education, Culture and Science Committee supported the idea to ensure places in kindergartens for all children who have reached 1.5 years of age.

“Today we heard opinions of all stakeholders and agreed to work on ensuring all parents, whose children have reached 1.5 years of age, with equal opportunities to receive services of state-funded, municipality-funded or private kindergartens,” highlighted Ina Druviete, Chairperson of the Education, Culture and Science Committee.

The Chairperson of the Committee indicated that in order to implement this idea, detailed financial estimates should be made, as well as several legal acts should be amended, including the Education Law. The Committee did not yet make the final decision regarding proposals for amendments to the General Education Law that were submitted for the second reading.

During the meeting of 10 May, Inguna Rībena, Secretary of the Committee, pointed out that this would be a significant measure in dealing with the demographic problem that is currently very topical; this idea could be realised without requesting additional funding but rather by means of reallocating resources already available.

MPs agreed that within a month the Ministry of Education and Science, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, will prepare a report on amendments that have to be introduced in relevant laws and other regulatory documents, as well as on possible model of financing.

 Saeima Press Service