Will the Latvian language requirements for foreign teachers be eased? The Saeima will evaluate the changes to the law proposed by the president

The ability to attract foreign teachers is one of the prerequisites for the development of higher education and science. The President of the State, Edgars Rinkēvičs, is convinced of this. However, in his opinion, the current regulation, which requires the use of the Latvian language and restricts the use of foreign languages ​​in universities, is an obstacle to attracting foreign teaching staff.

Therefore, the president calls for the law to be changed and to allow foreign professors to teach students in one of the languages ​​of the European Union for six years. On the other hand, after that, the instructors should prove their knowledge of the Latvian language to the extent determined by the government.

Edgars Rinkevičs

The President of the State

“This proposal is being developed in cooperation with the State Competitiveness Commission. We have discussed quite a lot about what should be done to promote the competitiveness of our science and universities. And the Speaker of the Saeima also had several ideas that we discussed. And I think, at the moment when this draft law will be sent to the Saeima and the discussion will begin, then it could be a broader and more interesting discussion, because we also know many things that we should do.”

Now the changes to the law have been submitted to the Saeima for evaluation. The Prime Minister’s party is determined to support them. Edmunds Jurēvics, the head of the “Jaunas Vienotības” Saeima faction, says that the president’s idea is good and this discussion should be started. “Of course, this aspect of the national language should be evaluated against the international experience. But I’m sure a compromise can be found. And in general, ideologically, we support the president’s law,” says Jurēvics.

Agreeing that the obstacles to attracting foreign professors should be reduced in order to increase the quality of studies, the other two coalition partners would also be ready to support the changes.

Līga Kļaviņa, member of the ZZS Saeima Education Commission, also states that the president’s initiative is currently, “at first glance”, supported. Klaviņa believes that the changes are aimed at increasing the competitiveness of universities. “And in this case, it refers to academic positions, which are assistant professors and professors. And also with such a limited term of up to six years, during which time these positions also have to acquire knowledge of the Latvian language. And I think it is supportable,” Kļaviņa believes.

Antonina Nenasheva, a representative of “Progressives” and a member of the Saeima Education Commission, states that opening the doors more widely to international teachers is, “of course, in the interests of our higher education”.

The largest opposition party calls the president’s proposal a step in the right direction.

Edgars Tavars, head of the “United List” faction in the Saeima, states that strengthening the state’s higher education is the main task. The goal would be to bring Latvian higher education closer to the best levels of universities in European countries.

“To give the best education to our students that we can. Including, if necessary, to invite the best lecturers from Europe to universities, who can still give lectures in English for the time being. I see absolutely no problem,” Tavas assesses. On the other hand, the second largest opposition force, the National Union, does not yet promise support.

In an interview with TV3 News, Raivis Dzintars states that the “National Association” has always been attentive and cautious in matters related to language. Nationals expect to be assured that the benefits of changing the law would outweigh the losses.

Referring to data on the situation in 18 European countries, the office of the president states, Luxembourg is the most open to foreign teachers, where the proportion of foreign teachers reaches 89%. The Netherlands ranks second with 40%. On the other hand, in Latvia, the proportion of foreigners from the total academic staff does not even reach five percent.

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