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.

• Latvijas Avize: Ministry of Education and Science did not leave the idea to wider usage of foreign languages in state funded higher education establishments

Latvijas Avize reports that the draft amendments to the Law on Higher Education Establishments submitted for the revision at the meeting of the State Secretaries by the Ministry of Education and Science foresee wider usage of not only the EU official languages but also of other foreign languages in the state funded higher education establishments. The draft amendments stipulate that a foreign language which is not the EU official language can be used in implementation of study programs starting with bachelor’s degree if there is a study program with the same content also implemented in Latvian language.  The draft amendments also stipulate that the final and state examinations could be taken in a foreign language as well as bachelor’s, master’s, qualification and promotion papers could be written in a foreign language. The Ministry explained that such amendments would promote competitiveness of the state funded higher education establishments. However, there are many objections against such amendment. Thus, the head of the Saeima’s Education, Culture and Science Committee, MP Inna Druviete stated that such system is unacceptable because it contradicts state language policy and she will do everything to prevent it.