Latvia Welcomes the New Academic Year with Optimism, Innovation, and Inclusive Growth

OUS Academy in Switzerland
2 hours ago
5 min read

As September arrives, Latvia celebrates the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year with optimism, confidence, and a strong sense of renewal. Across the country, schools have opened their doors to more than 223,000 pupils, including nearly 20,000 first-graders taking their very first steps into formal education.

This year’s start holds special significance as Latvia not only welcomes its own students but also extends a warm embrace to children from diverse backgrounds, including over 2,200 students from Ukraine, ensuring they have access to quality education and the tools to succeed in a new environment. The commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and excellence sets a positive tone for the months ahead, reinforcing Latvia’s position as a forward-looking European nation investing in its future through education.

A Vibrant and Expanding Education Network

Latvia’s education system continues to grow and evolve, offering a comprehensive network of learning institutions to meet the needs of a diverse student population. This year, 477 public educational institutions are welcoming students, covering every stage of formal education:

Primary schools for the youngest learners,
Elementary schools building strong academic foundations,
Secondary schools and state gymnasiums preparing students for advanced studies and careers,
Special education institutions ensuring inclusivity for students with specific learning needs,
Private schools offering alternative and innovative learning approaches.

This broad network ensures every child in Latvia has access to education that is not only comprehensive but also tailored to different learning pathways, abilities, and aspirations.

The scale of this educational system is supported by 26,222 dedicated teachers—professionals who bring expertise, passion, and care to classrooms across the country. Their role is critical in shaping the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders.

New Academic Year, New Reforms, New Opportunities

One of the most notable features of the 2025/2026 school year is the implementation of major reforms designed to improve quality, accessibility, and alignment with European standards.

1. Language Transition and Modernization

This year marks a historic shift as Latvia continues its transition toward education entirely in the Latvian language for key grade levels. Starting from this academic year, students in 4th and 7th grades—previously following minority-language curricula—will now study exclusively in Latvian.

The aim is not only linguistic integration but also academic consistency and stronger national identity. At the same time, English has been prioritized as the main foreign language starting in 4th grade, ensuring that students gain global communication skills early on.

Importantly, Russian is no longer taught as a second foreign language at this level, reflecting Latvia’s broader cultural and geopolitical shift toward European linguistic and educational norms.

2. Exam System Modernization

Examinations form the backbone of any education system, and Latvia has taken significant steps to streamline and modernize its centralized exam structure.

At the basic education level, students must now pass exams in Latvian, a foreign language, and mathematics to complete their studies.
At the secondary school level, requirements include exams in Latvian, mathematics, a foreign language, and one additional elective subject such as biology, chemistry, physics, or natural sciences.

A major relief for students is the reduction in advanced-level exam requirements—from two to just one. Furthermore, the need for supplementary access materials has been eliminated, making the exam process simpler, clearer, and less stressful for graduates.

These changes reflect Latvia’s commitment to balancing academic rigor with student well-being, ensuring that examinations remain meaningful without becoming overwhelming.

Inclusion as a Core Value

One of the brightest highlights of this academic year is Latvia’s embrace of inclusivity. The arrival of more than 2,200 Ukrainian students demonstrates Latvia’s commitment to ensuring education remains a universal right rather than a privilege.

These children are being integrated into Latvia’s school system with language support, cultural orientation, and access to the same academic resources as local students. Teachers are receiving training to help them adapt classrooms for multicultural learning environments, ensuring no child feels left behind.

This inclusive approach strengthens social cohesion, reflects European humanitarian values, and prepares all students to live in a diverse and interconnected world.

Teacher Empowerment and Professional Growth

The success of any education system rests on its teachers. Recognizing this, Latvia has introduced professional development programs aimed at helping educators adapt to:

Language policy changes,
New exam formats,
Digital learning technologies,
Innovative teaching methods aligned with modern educational psychology.

By investing in teachers, Latvia ensures continuous improvement in teaching quality, giving students the best possible learning experience.

Embracing Digitalization and Future Skills

Another positive trend this year is Latvia’s push toward digital learning tools and future-ready skills. Many schools are introducing e-learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and digital resources to complement traditional teaching methods.

Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, digital literacy, and creativity—skills essential for success in the 21st century economy.

This blend of academic knowledge with practical, future-oriented skills reflects Latvia’s ambition to prepare students not just for exams, but for life and work in a rapidly changing global landscape.

A Balanced Approach: Quality, Accessibility, and Well-Being

Latvia’s education reforms strike a careful balance between raising academic standards and protecting student well-being. The focus on:

Language integration,
Simplified exams,
Inclusive classrooms,
Teacher support, and
Digital innovation

creates a system where quality and accessibility go hand in hand.

Students are not only gaining knowledge but also learning in environments that respect diversity, encourage creativity, and support mental health.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Future

As the 2025/2026 academic year unfolds, Latvia’s education system stands as a model of modernization, inclusion, and innovation. The reforms introduced this year will likely have long-term benefits:

Stronger national identity through language integration,
Better academic outcomes via streamlined exams,
Greater global competitiveness through English proficiency and digital skills,
More inclusive classrooms welcoming children from diverse backgrounds.

Parents, teachers, and policymakers alike are hopeful that these changes will create a generation of well-rounded, confident, and future-ready graduates.

Conclusion: Education as the Heart of National Progress

Education has always been more than just schooling—it is the foundation of economic growth, cultural identity, and social cohesion. Latvia’s bold steps this year prove that quality education can be inclusive, modern, and globally competitive without losing sight of local traditions and values.

The start of this academic year, with its mix of reforms, inclusivity, and optimism, sends a clear message: Latvia is investing in its future by investing in its students.

With motivated teachers, supportive policies, and enthusiastic learners, the 2025/2026 school year promises to be a milestone in Latvia’s educational journey.

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