The lack of teachers also plagues Riga schools. A campaign to attract new teachers has been launched

The municipality is forced to work more actively on the entry of new people into schools also because the future does not look bright. Almost a fifth of the pedagogues currently working in Riga’s educational institutions could soon leave their jobs. Mainly because many existing teachers are no longer near retirement age.

“Approximately 1,000 educators out of the approximately 6,000 in the education system are in a period where after a year, two, three, four, they will choose to go on their well-deserved rest. And each of these pedagogues must be replaced,” says Ivars Balamovskis, Acting Director of the Education Department of Riga Municipality.

In order to promote the attraction of new pedagogues, the Riga City Council therefore intends to start a broad information campaign, inviting them to become teachers directly in the capital’s schools. The regional government has also introduced the basket of benefits for teachers developed by the municipality.

The “carrot” with which the regional government hopes to attract more young teachers is a 50% discount on public transport, health insurance, a guaranteed place for the teacher’s child in kindergarten or school, paid training and retraining courses, and other benefits.

“It is the payment of the studies of preschool teachers, it is an absolutely new thing that has been started in September. And it is a real pleasure that 86 teaching assistants are currently starting a two-and-a-half-year program to obtain the qualification of a preschool pedagogue,” says Balamovskis.

“Our strategic goal is to provide all schools and all kindergartens with educators. The question is how soon we will get there. We have currently developed an action plan, step by step, to attract pedagogues,” says Laima Geikina (Par!), head of the Education, Culture and Sports Committee of Riga City Council.

The municipality admits that the carrot method alone will not be enough to solve the shortage of pedagogues, it also depends on the state policy and whether it will be possible to raise the prestige of the pedagogue’s work. Annie Sprivule, the learning consultant of Mežciems elementary school, who works with young teachers on a daily basis, agrees with this – she sees that the desire to work with children and the benefits offered by the municipality are equally important for a teacher.

“Of course, we have our callings and things we choose to do. But, of course, the practical side is also important. And considering the pay of teachers, it matters a lot. I’m enjoying my monthly ticket myself, I’m enjoying my two-month vacation in the summer,” says Annija Sprivule, learning consultant of Mežciems elementary school.

On the other hand, the Riga City Council says that they plan to add to the basket of benefits, because otherwise pedagogues will continue to leave for Pierīga municipal schools, which are able to offer both better pay and more desirable bonuses to their employees.