Today, 4 December 2024, the State Audit Office of Latvia sent a letter to the Saeima Committee on Education, Culture and Science by expressing concern about the slow progress of recommendations in special education at all levels of public administration and calling on Members of Parliament to take on a coordinating role in these issues.
“Problems in special education have been discussed for years, and more than three years have passed since the State Audit Office of Latvia published the results of its audit in this area; unfortunately there are almost no results,” stated Ms Maija Āboliņa, Council Member of the State Audit Office of Latvia.
First of all, a child’s path to support in educational process begins with an opinion of national or municipal pedagogical and medical commission, therefore the recommendations provided by the State Audit Office of Latvia were aimed at streamlining the work of those commissions. These recommendations did not require reforms in essence but only organising the work of the commissions in accordance with “modern” requirements and in a client-oriented manner. Namely, to determine how to submit documents and apply for a commission meeting, to clarify how a waiting list is organised, etc. Unfortunately, the amendments to the Cabinet Regulation that have been drafted have still not been coordinated even within the education sector itself and no one knows when they will be forwarded for approval to the Cabinet of Ministers.
Secondly, endless discussions and ever emerging new working groups fail to reach a solution that is in the best interests of children regarding the accommodation of children in boarding schools and service hotels of educational institutions. After the audit, the State Audit Office of Latvia concluded that children “lived” not only in special, but also in general educational institutions, including in 24-hour groups of preschool institutions. In many cases, it has been confirmed that not the educational needs of children but the social problems of families are being addressed in this way, therefore, in the opinion of the State Audit Office of Latvia, they are “hidden children’s homes” in fact. During these years, the issue had already come to the attention of the Saeima; unfortunately, the draft law was rejected at the meeting of the responsible Committee. As a result, discussions continue and new working groups are being formed, while children and young people have been denied the right to grow up in a family for years.
Thirdly, the adopted amendments to the laws and regulations have not been sufficient to provide young people with special needs with wider opportunities to acquire vocational primary education programmes. Many families raising children with special needs are concerned about where their child will be able to acquire practically useful professional skills to live an independent life and integrate into the labour market as much as possible. In the audit, the State Audit Office of Latvia has concluded that the offer of vocational primary education programmes is very limited and does not provide such opportunities.
Fourthly, the State Audit Office of Latvia has drawn attention to the fragmented activities and the lack of a unified approach and cooperation among the responsible ministries and institutions when addressing issues related to support for children with various needs and their families. A year ago, a working group was established in the Ministry of Education and Science to develop a new concept and reform plan for pedagogical medical commissions. At the same time, the Ministry of Welfare is the leading institution in the field of children’s and family rights and the Child Protection Centre under its jurisdiction is also working on improving support for families with children (both in the educational process and in relation to violence). Meanwhile, the State Chancellery, which took over the functions of the Cross-Sectoral Coordination Centre, has been working on various support tools and services for years.
Recommendations of the State Audit Office of Latvia #PēcRevīzijas on special education
The State Audit Office of Latvia provided 17 recommendations to the Ministry of Education and Science (some of which are to be implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Welfare) expecting that as a result of their implementation, children with special needs would receive the necessary support in a timely manner and the continuity of support services would be ensured, the operation of boarding schools in educational institutions would be limited by determining unbiased and justified exceptional cases in accordance with the best interests of the child, and the range of vocational primary education programs would be expanded, which would meet the interests of young people with special needs and potential employers.
About the State Audit Office of Latvia
The State Audit Office of the Republic of Latvia is an independent, collegial supreme audit institution. The purpose of its activity is to find out whether the actions with the financial means and property of a public entity are legal, correct, useful and in line with public interests, as well as to provide recommendations for the elimination of discovered irregularities. The State Audit Office conducts audits in accordance with International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions INTOSAI (ISSAI), whose recognition in Latvia is determined by the Auditor General. Upon discovering deficiencies, the State Audit Office of Latvia provides recommendations for their elimination, but it informs law enforcement authorities about potential infringements of the law.
Additional information
Ms Gunta Krevica
Head of PR and Internal Communication Division
Ph. 23282332 | E-mail: Gunta.Krevica@lrvk.gov.lv