On 17 May, President of Latvia Egils Levits met with members of the Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee at the Riga Castle to discuss progress of reforms and activities of legislator’s committee in its field of expertise, with focus on reforms that need to be continued after the general elections.
‘University reform endorsed by you will strongly contribute to better higher education. Several important legislative packages have been adopted by this Saeima, and it is crucial to also ensure continuity – keep supporting higher education and research, while also strengthening official language policy,’ President of Latvia underlined.
President Levits specifically emphasised the need to continue strengthening official language in education. ‘Full shift to education in official language is essential for social integration. That is the most efficient approach. Our children should get educated in official language from pre-school.’
University reform, Education Law, Vocational Education Law and Higher Education Law changes are the main achievements of the Commission, its chairman, Arvils Ašeradens, explained.
Next Saeima will have to deal with a challenging task of defining specific, forward-oriented learning outcomes that match modern concept of sustainability. Legislators will also have to create common education and research framework, Committee members admitted.
President of Latvia and Committee members discussed one of current legislative initiatives under parliamentary review – law on demolishing of monuments glorifying Soviet occupation in Latvia.
Arvils Ašeradens, Chair of the Committee, mentioned its efforts in the field of culture in the past four years, which have resulted in adoption special laws on Freedom Monument and Riga Brethren Cemetery, new property management models for Riga Wagner Hall and Riga St Peter’s Church. Committee also plans to finalise law regarding culture centres.
President of Latvia Egils Levits also used the meeting with Committee to present Certificate of Merit to Dr. oec. Inga Lapiņa, Professor and Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at the Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management (FEEM) of Riga Technical University.
Egils Levits praised Ms Lapiņa for her enormous intellectual input in drafting of fundamental and extensive changes in Education Law, Vocational Education Law and Higher Education Law. ‘Major changes in education over the past 12 months, at the level of higher, general and vocational education, have been inspired by Inga Lapiņa. Professor Lapiņa actively advocated for changes in Education Law and significantly contributed to better education. Our country and people will benefit from that,’ President of Latvia said.
Education, Culture and Science Committee of the 13th Saeima has used its mandate to develop and help pass three laws key to development of education: changes in Education Law, changes in Law on Higher Education Institutions and amendments to the Vocational Education Law. In addition to voluntary quality expert duties and her base job, Dr. oec. Inga Lapiņa also helped Committee to develop these laws contributing her knowledge and displaying high degree of responsibility.
