Latvia's Education Ministry plans to award primary school certificates even to students who fail exams
Starting next year, Latvia's Ministry of Education plans to issue primary school completion certificates to students who have not passed their final exams, but experts warn this could lower education quality.
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Latvia's Ministry of Education (IZM) has drafted a plan under which, starting next year, primary school completion certificates would be issued even to students who fail their final exams. Education experts have raised concerns about the proposal, warning it could lead to a decline in education quality.
Current requirements
Under the existing system, students who fail their exams are required to repeat the 9th grade. The new proposal would remove this requirement, allowing students to receive a certificate regardless of their exam results.
Figures point to a widespread issue
According to Latvian Television, this year 818 students failed to reach the minimum 15% threshold required to pass their exams. Mathematics was the subject where students struggled most, pointing to significant knowledge gaps in that area nationwide.
The proposed changes to the exam system have sparked debate over how to balance a more inclusive approach to education with the need to preserve meaningful knowledge assessment and ensure primary school graduates are adequately prepared.
