On 28 August, President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs attended the education workers conference ‘European Union in our everyday life and classes’ organised by European Commission Representation in Latvia. President Rinkēvičs gave an opening speech, addressing teachers, administrators of educational establishments and staff of education boards and youth centres from all over Latvia.
‘I have been asked by the organisers to speak about what president and what teachers are able to do today. In other words, ‘spot the difference’ between teachers and a president. I have gladly accepted the challenge.
Firstly, there is only one president. There are many teachers though. That is probably why presidents have no trade unions.
Secondly, no president can do without teachers. I have not heard of a president who has not had a teacher to learn from. I want to thank all teachers and school personnel that has trained me and continue to educate future presidents and, of course, future experts in other fields.
Teachers, however, can do without a president. They will keep working and living their lives. Teachers can do just fine without a president. Nevertheless, I would not have been here if it were not for teachers who taught me how to read and write.
Thirdly, in Latvia you can be a president for no more than 8 years or two consecutive terms. There are, on the other hand, many teachers that have worked more than 8 years, up to 28 and even 38 years.
I wish you lots of energy and strength. You will need it to keep teaching and, more importantly, keep learning and growing. We should never think something that worked 10 or 20 years ago will still hold true today.
Fourthly, autumn, winter and spring are the most hectic months for teachers. Whereas, I have worked as a president only in summer so far. Yes, my predecessors have, of course, demonstrated that there is plenty to do during the cold season, too.
Fifthly, our laws do not regulate how a president could go on a strike. This is something that teachers can do. A president, one person, protesting would look funny, whereas many teachers fighting for better work arrangements is something people endorse. I do not believe that pupils would be affected by you fighting for better working conditions for yourself and future colleagues. Absolutely not! Any employee deserves a fair pay and clear and balanced terms and conditions. Aside from pay, we want you to be more vocal about the content and quality of education programmes. About what we should teach during history, public health, mathematics or physical fitness classes. About what we need to do to improve pupils-teacher conflict resolution to make schools a safe space for all. We expect from you a well-articulated view on what we need and what we should avoid at all cost. Be more vocal in your advocacy. Others will thank you for that.
This is also a way to show your pupils what activism means. Show them how important it is to come together and fight for the right cause despite all the hurdles.
Sixthly, you need to be 40 to become a president. Teachers do not have such age restrictions. However, once graduated, it may take many years for a young teacher out of university to earn the respect of colleagues, and they are fully accepted by other professionals, or ‘inaugurated’, only when they turn 40. It takes lots of energy and many tears cried in vain. Dear teachers, what I, you, all children and people actually need is young teachers with spark in their eye. So, help your colleagues settle in. Be open to their ideas, their vision. Even if it differs from yours. Times change. That is how it has always been. Try to meet midway. Do focus on what you have in common, not what sets you apart. That is what I will do.
And now let me mention six things presidents and teachers have in common.
There are many things in common. Several teachers have become presents throughout the human history. I have not worked as a teacher yet. But who knows.
The first commonality is that there are no ex-presidents or teachers. You have probably noticed that former presidents, even after their retirement, are still addressed as Mister or Madam President when in public. Teachers are the same. Even long after retiring from their professional career or working in another profession, former pupil will still address you as teachers, not ‘former teachers’.
Second commonality is that both presidents and teachers serve as role models. That is why you cannot smoke in the park, jaywalk or curse when hockey referee blows whistle against your team unfairly.
Third commonality is that both presidents and teachers who treat their job as a chore and ignore other’s feedback will not gain respect. I assume the same can be said about medical doctors, cashiers, scientists, civil servants, coaches and many other professions. Everyone wants to see them enjoy what they do and constantly aspire to become better.
Fourthly, both president and teacher sometimes have no solution to problems that occur. You do not always have instructions. But School 2030 is already here, in our classrooms, scribbling something on the chalkboard.
I was in school when Soviet Union collapsed. Suddenly the history books we read were no longer valid. The real history of Latvia was passed down in the family, as much as it was possible at all. I remember very vividly how history teachers told us about Latvia, occupation, the lies and deceit, the power of the people, even though they had no textbooks to go by. Without any books, teacher Dzintars Koks explained everything so clearly and concisely that the whole magic of regaining independence for Latvia seemed so obvious and justified. Not to mention those literatures classes.
What should we now read? We threw out books by Soviet writers and traitors among Latvians. And even without any lists or instructions, teachers Dzintra Janisela and Liesma Kalve brought us into the world of Latvian poetry, prose and fiction.
No one had books or clear instructions, and yet Aleksandrs Grīns, Edvarts Virza and other became our literary heroes. Our people rediscovered Aleksandrs Čaks and Kārlis Skalbe. My teachers brought School 1988 into life, now you need to make the School 2030 a reality. I will make sure it all goes smoothly.
No doubt, we must focus on better content and delivery. There are still too many unknowns. Lack of information never plays in our hands. Change is never easy on any organisation. However, you should never forget that pupils’ eyes are constantly on you. They learn from you what it means to adapt, learn by doing, work on flaws together – the skills that they will need in their job later on. No matter who they choose to become – a surgeon, youtuber, coder or conductor.
Fifth commonality is that no one knows who the next president will be until the very last moment, and whether all teacher positions will be filled. 1st of September is around the corner and there still are positions that remain vacant. The same as couple of weeks before the presidential elections.
And last, but not least. The inspiration. We can inspire others either by sharing the harsh truth or encouraging them. We are able to make people feel special and important. We can lead people towards a noble cause. Our support may have deep impact on others. As much as negative comments or neglect.
Allow. No! Encourage young people to dream even if their dreams seem unreal, or just the contrary – insignificant. Let us help each other dream big. Prosperous and happy Latvia can only be built on many small wishes that form from people’s big dreams,’ President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs said to the audience gathered.
