Your child has a right to an education, which is a human right. Education enables your child to become independent and a fully developed individual and member of society. As a parent, you also have an important role in your child’s education. Firstly, you advise and educate your child and, secondly, you provide support for your child in the exercise of his/her right to an education outside the family, such as the choice of an educational institution.
A child’s right to an education
A child’s right to an education guarantees:
- the right of access to state-created or approved educational institutions
- the right to obtain official recognition of completed studies
important In Latvia, every child has an obligation to acquire pre-school and primary education.
If your child has functional disabilities, there should be special educational programmes available according to your child’s needs.
Free primary and secondary education
In Latvia, the Constitution guarantees your child State financed pre-school, primary and secondary education, as well as vocational training. This does not apply to private educational institutions.
Free education also means that the State finances a broad range of school supplies which are necessary for an education. Such school supplies are, for example, study literature (textbooks, exercise books and fiction books), visual materials, didactic games, electronic resources, devices, instruments and sports equipment. At the same time, a parent must ensure that the child has individual school supplies, such as stationery, specific clothing (for example, for sports or chemistry subjects) and individual materials for specific school subjects, such as housekeeping or technologies.
Language of instruction
The right to an education does not guarantee the right to obtain instruction in your mother tongue or other language of your choice to you or your child. In Latvia, children are educated in the official language of the State, which is Latvian. There are, however, some exceptions.
A child may acquire a certain number of school subjects in his/her native language if it has been recognized as a minority language by the State. Thus, in Latvia, the State finances education in the Russian, Polish, Hebrew, Ukrainian, Estonian, Lithuanian and Belarusian languages. For example, at high school up to 2/5 of school subjects may be taught in minority languages. Some of the state examinations may also be taken in minority languages. However, the dominant basis of the education process is the Latvian language.
Child’s freedom of thought, conscience and religion
Your child has a human right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. At the same time, you as a parent are responsible for the determination of the child’s religious affiliation until your child has reached 14 years of age and may then choose it him/herself as provided by the law.
As a part of the educational process, schools must observe the principles of secularism and neutrality. This means that information and knowledge included in the school curriculum must be conveyed in an objective, critical and pluralistic manner, in a calm atmosphere which is free from unrestrained proselytism. To observe these principles, schools may restrict certain forms of your child’s religious expression.
example The obligation for pupils not to cover their heads on school premises is a justified restriction, as it helps to maintain an atmosphere of secularism and neutrality. Moreover, it does not, as such, deprive a child’s parents of their right to guide their children on a path in line with their own religious or philosophical convictions.
In Latvia, your child has the option to learn either Christian religion or ethics, or both subjects.
- Until your child has reached 14 years of age, you (or the legal guardian) should make the choice together with your child and inform the school about the choice in an application signed by you (or the legal guardian).
- After your child has reached 14 years of age, this choice depends on them and he/she may inform the school about it in an application which they sign. However, this application must be submitted along with your (or the legal guardian’s) written approval.
Respect for a parent’s freedom of thought, conscience and religion
You as a parent, are primarily responsible for the education and teaching of your children. This also means that you may require your child’s school to respect your religious and philosophical convictions as a part of your own right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
At the same time, it is clear that many subjects taught at school have, to a greater or lesser extent, some philosophical aspects or implications. Therefore, teaching and the educational process may involve some religious or philosophical information to be given to your child directly or indirectly. Your freedom of thought, conscience and religion does not give you the right to demand that no such information is ever given to your child. Otherwise, the teaching of your child and other children could prove to be impracticable.
Morality & health education
In Latvia, the State has determined that a child’s education must comply with and involve principles of morality (decency) which correspond to such values as marriage and family, respect for the environment, courage, honesty etc.
Please, be aware that these principles do not contradict with, but allow your child to receive health education, which includes sexual and reproductive health education. Compulsory sex education for a child does not, as such, restrict your right as a parent to advise and guide your child on a path in line with your philosophical convictions.