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

The Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Finances are going to discuss a possibility to increase salaries for the teachers of the Latvian language in Russian speaking schools before adopting the state budget this week. To realise this project it would need at least half a million Lats from the budget. The Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals pointed out that this amount of money had already been planned in the budget.

The Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Finances are going to discuss a possibility to increase salaries for the teachers of the Latvian language in Russian speaking schools before adopting the state budget this week. To realise this project it would need at least half a million Lats from the budget. The Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals pointed out that this amount of money had already been planned in the budget. Neatkariga

J.Gaigals also informed about the priorities in the field of education, and they would be the adoption of the general education and professional education laws, establishing of education innovation fund, adoption of four year plan of education development at the Saeima, starting realisation of the World Bank project, crediting of studies and realisation of the Latvian language training program.

J.Gaigals also informed about the priorities in the field of education, and they would be the adoption of the general education and professional education laws, establishing of education innovation fund, adoption of four year plan of education development at the Saeima, starting realisation of the World Bank project, crediting of studies and realisation of the Latvian language training program. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

The Ministry of Education and Science has issued a permit allowing 53 teachers with not adequate knowledge of the state language to continue their work at schools. The Ministry has not summed up the information how many teachers should be fired for not knowing the state language. According to the information about the situation on the end of 1998, there were 79 problematic teachers, firing of which could cause problems for teaching process at schools, and the Ministry of Education and Science has decided that 53 of them might continue working on a condition that they would improve their knowledge of the Latvian language.

The Ministry of Education and Science has issued a permit allowing 53 teachers with not adequate knowledge of the state language to continue their work at schools. The Ministry has not summed up the information how many teachers should be fired for not knowing the state language. According to the information about the situation on the end of 1998, there were 79 problematic teachers, firing of which could cause problems for teaching process at schools, and the Ministry of Education and Science has decided that 53 of them might continue working on a condition that they would improve their knowledge of the Latvian language. Diena, SM

Panorama Latvii

writes about the situation of Russian speaking teachers whose knowledge of the state language is inadequate. According to the recent information broadcasted by the radio Freedom there are 448 such people. And new laws, even stricter than the current ones, are under consideration. And the newspaper asks, What will Max van der Stoel say about all this?

Neatkariga

interviewed Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov. The Ambassador, answering to the question about a possibility to sign a border agreement between those two countries, said that there were no necessary preconditions for such a step, and the primary problem was unwillingness of Latvia to grant Latvian citizenship to those non-citizens who would like to become Latvian citizens. He also expressed his opinion on the problem of double citizenship for Latvians residing in Russia and the future of Russian - Latvian relations. interviewed Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov. The Ambassador, answering to the question about a possibility to sign a border agreement between those two countries, said that there were no necessary preconditions for such a step, and the primary problem was unwillingness of Latvia to grant Latvian citizenship to those non-citizens who would like to become Latvian citizens. He also expressed his opinion on the problem of double citizenship for Latvians residing in Russia and the future of Russian - Latvian relations. NeatkarigaNeatkariga A conference of the Latvian intelligence “Latvian language and a unique education system - the base of an integrated society” is taking place today.

A conference of the Latvian intelligence Latvian language and a unique education system - the base of an integrated society is taking place today. Jauna Avize

Prime Ministers of Latvia and Estonia met yesterday to discuss common problems. Among them there was a problem of border agreement with Russia, and both parties agreed that they were ready to sign such an agreement. Estonian part expressed a proposal to allow Estonian citizens to stay in Latvia 90 days in half a year instead of one year because Latvian citizens may stay in Estonia 90 days in half a year. V.Kristopans promised to correct this discrepancy.

Jauna Avize

During the meeting with Latvian MPs, Israeli Ambassador Oded ben Gur expressed his concern about the fact that an anti-Semitic book The dreadful year, prepared by Nazis during the WW II, was circulated in Latvia.

SM