Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

• Saeima adopts amendments which provides that Latvian non-citizens can work as pilots and crew members
• Situation concerning Latvian language courses provided in Daugavpils and in general
• Riga City Council sees no need in the development of the Law on Minority Schools
• Directors of minority schools claim that their students have no objections to increased number of subjects in Latvian
• Vesti Segodnya: due to education reform Russian parents want their children attend Latvian kindergartens
• Latvijas Avize names schools whose students have taken the most active part in protest actions against the education reform
• National Radio and TV Council critical about a the content of a programme aired in Russian by the National Television
• Detailed article about leaders and programmes of the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia

Yesterday the Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Aviation. The new provisions stipulate that from now on Latvian non-citizens and citizens of the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein can take positions of pilots and other crewmembers.

Yesterday the Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Aviation. The new provisions stipulate that from now on Latvian non-citizens and citizens of the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein can take positions of pilots and other crewmembers. Vesti Segodnya

Diena prints reportage on the situation concerning Latvian language learning in Daugavpils (the second biggest city in Latvia where the predominantly majority of residents are non-Latvians), in particular, about Latvian language courses offered by the Societal Integration Foundation and people who apply for these courses. Experience from other cities in Latvia shows that there is a strong interest to learn the Latvian language. In Daugavpils people explain their interest mostly with the need to understand what their children study at school. However, next year the Societal Integration Foundation will not provide money for organising Latvian language courses free of charge. The Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks believes that funding could be obtained from the European Social Foundation, however, the Ministry of Welfare reports that none of Foundations programmes is aimed specifically at learning the Latvian language. There are programmes, which will provide an opportunity to study Latvian for socially excluded groups, such as, long-term unemployed, disabled persons etc.

The Department of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport of the Riga City Council after the analysis of Latvian legislation has come to a conclusion that there is no need in the development of the Law on Minority and sent its conclusion to the Saeima and the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Department of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport of the Riga City Council after the analysis of Latvian legislation has come to a conclusion that there is no need in the development of the Law on Minority and sent its conclusion to the Saeima and the Cabinet of Ministers. Latvijas Avize

Directors of minority schools in Riga claim that they do not feel any opposition from their pupils to study in Latvian, however, they feel under pressure because of continuous attention from mass media. Any conclusions about changes in grades of minority students after having increased number of subjects in Latvian can be drawn only at the end of the first semester.

Directors of minority schools in Riga claim that they do not feel any opposition from their pupils to study in Latvian, however, they feel under pressure because of continuous attention from mass media. Any conclusions about changes in grades of minority students after having increased number of subjects in Latvian can be drawn only at the end of the first semester. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya writes that the number of Russian children whose parents have decided to send them to Latvian kindergartens has increased considerably. However, the newspaper also reports about the case when the administration of the Latvian kindergarten refused to enrol a Russian child because of her nationality. The administration of the kindergarten No 160 denies the accusations and states that the child was refused because there are no more free places for children of any nationality. Nevertheless, the Head of the kindergarten admits that 2-year-old children should not be taken out of their natural language environment.

According to the data provided by the Riga City Council Riga Secondary Schools No 21, 22 and 68 had the highest number of pupils who did not attend classes without justified reasons.

According to the data provided by the Riga City Council Riga Secondary Schools No 21, 22 and 68 had the highest number of pupils who did not attend classes without justified reasons. Latvijas Avize

The National Radio and TV Council is very cautious when gives an evaluation to the morning show in the Russian language, which is aired by the Channel 7 of the National Television. The member of the Conservative Party Valerijs Belokons who also owns the newspaper

The National Radio and TV Council is very cautious when gives an evaluation to the morning show in the Russian language, which is aired by the Channel 7 of the National Television. The member of the Conservative Party Valerijs Belokons who also owns the newspaper Telegraf funds the show. A member of the NRTC does not deny that there is a need for such programme because Russian-speakers residing in Latvia live in a totally different informative space; however, the programme contains too much news from Russia. Latvijas Avize

Chas introduces its readers to leaders of the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia and their views and aims.