Murjāņi Sports Gymnasium Reorganization Sparks Protests; Director Admits Communication Flaws

On Thursday, coaches and parents of students gathered outside the Ministry of Education and Science to express dissatisfaction with the planned reorganization of the Murjāņi Sports Gymnasium (MSĢ) Jūrmala branch. MSĢ Director Sergejs Čevers admitted that communication about the upcoming changes could have been more regular, although he noted that staff, students, and parents had been informed on multiple occasions.

Starting from the new academic year, the MSĢ Jūrmala branch will cease operations. Students who wish to continue rowing sports can train at the Specialized Rowing Sports School in Lielupe or study and live in Murjāņi while traveling to Lielupe for specialized training. Čevers explained that the evaluation of the reorganization began in 2023, with proposals developed last year.

The director emphasized that in the coming days, employees will receive information about changes in their employment terms. Some coaches are planned to be transferred to the Lielupe base so that students can continue training with their current coaches, while other teachers and technical staff will be offered vacancies in other branches of the gymnasium.

The Ministry of Education and Science stated that only ten students are enrolled in the Jūrmala branch, and the cost per student is several times higher than in other MSĢ branches. The ministry stressed that no student will lose the opportunity to continue rowing, canoeing, or kayaking and to obtain secondary education as a result of the reorganization.