New school year begins across Latvia with about 224,000 students
The 2026/2027 school year has started at Latvia's educational institutions, with around 224,000 students enrolling, including nearly 19,000 first-graders and 2,500 children from Ukraine. About 26,000 teachers will be involved in instruction.
The new 2026/2027 school year has officially begun today at educational institutions across Latvia. According to preliminary data compiled by the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM), approximately 224,000 students will begin classes in general education institutions this year. This figure includes around 19,000 first-graders and 2,500 children from Ukraine, who will continue or begin studying in Latvian schools.
About 26,000 teachers will be involved in educating students this year.
Number and types of schools
On September 1, 455 municipal general education institutions opened their doors, including 23 primary schools, 234 basic schools, 168 secondary schools, and 30 state gymnasiums. In addition, 37 special education institutions will provide instruction. The new school year also sees 72 private schools beginning operations.
Vocational education
The ministry forecasts that the number of students in vocational education will remain at roughly the previous level — about 28,000. Of these, around 10,000 young people will start their first year of studies this year at one of 53 vocational education institutions across the country.
The data compiled by the ministry remains preliminary and may be refined over the course of the school year.
