Fewer than half of students pass Latvia's basic-education exams on second attempt

The number of ninth-grade students in Latvia failing centralized exams — and consequently not receiving their basic-education certificate — has risen sharply. Last year 459 students failed these exams, but this spring the figure climbed to 818, nearly doubling within a single year.

This trend runs counter to Latvian law, which mandates basic education as compulsory for every child. In practice, however, a growing number of young people are unable to complete basic school because they fail the centralized exams required to obtain the graduation certificate.

Ministry proposes a change

In response to the worsening situation, the Ministry of Education and Science has put forward a proposal to change the current system. Under the plan, students who have earned passing final grades throughout the year could receive their basic-education certificate regardless of their centralized exam results. This would mean exam outcomes would no longer be the sole deciding factor in whether a student is recognized as having completed basic education.

The aim of the proposal is to prevent an increasing number of young people from being left without formal confirmation of basic education, a gap that could hinder their further studies or entry into the labor market.