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.

Press Review

Press Review

Prime Minister A.Skele announced at the meeting of the educators that the government and the Ministry of Education and Science would take care let pupil every could receive elementary education at his parish. At the same time the Minister of Education and Science S.Golde informed that there were amendments to the general education law elaborated establishing the minimal number of pupils in a class, including elementary school as well.

Prime Minister A.Skele announced at the meeting of the educators that the government and the Ministry of Education and Science would take care let pupil every could receive elementary education at his parish. At the same time the Minister of Education and Science S.Golde informed that there were amendments to the general education law elaborated establishing the minimal number of pupils in a class, including elementary school as well. Neatkariga

The Chairman of Central Election Commission informed that 32 posts to collect signatures for proposing the referendum on the pension law would be opened abroad.

The Chairman of Central Election Commission informed that 32 posts to collect signatures for proposing the referendum on the pension law would be opened abroad. Neatkariga

Minister of Education and Science S.Golde informed that according to the data of school boards and National Education Inspection there were about 2500 irreplaceable teachers of retirement age and may be the next year these people could retire because the government wished to increase the salaries of teachers for one teaching load by January 1, 2000 let young teachers come to schools. The salary would be almost doubled - up to 130 Ls for one load. The total amount of money necessary could be 70 million Ls. Also the Prime Minister expressed his understanding of this issue and said that the problem should be solved during the next year.

Minister of Education and Science S.Golde informed that according to the data of school boards and National Education Inspection there were about 2500 irreplaceable teachers of retirement age and may be the next year these people could retire because the government wished to increase the salaries of teachers for one teaching load by January 1, 2000 let young teachers come to schools. The salary would be almost doubled - up to 130 Ls for one load. The total amount of money necessary could be 70 million Ls. Also the Prime Minister expressed his understanding of this issue and said that the problem should be solved during the next year. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Polish Ambassador to Latvia J.Bratkevich, meeting with the representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, acknowledged that although the current situation at Polish schools in Latvia was good, he would like it to be better, and Latvia state institutions could help more in this respect. The Ambassador pointed out that the furniture, used at these schools was old , therefore resources were necessary to exchange them for new, and the Latvian state could grant one time subsidy for this purpose. He did not name an exact sum but just wanted the Saeima to support these schools with a political decision.

Rigas Balss (19.08.99)

A.Yelkin in Panorama Latvii writes about the fate of the Language Law linking it with the referendum on the pension law. Latvijas Cels and TB/LNNK stand for adopting the Language Law at the beginning of the next year let it do not disturb the talks on Latvia joining EU. Then why is Peoples Party now more radical than the rest of the coalition members - PP want to kindle the nationalistic feelings of the population thus achieving their primary goal of this time to adopt the amendments to the pensions law because if there is a referendum, the 650 000 Latvian pensioners, majority of whom are citizens, would vote against the amendments and it would mean the end of Skele government. Panorama Latvii