President Rinkēvičs thanks Latvia's teachers on Teacher's Day for shaping young people's lives
On October 5, Latvia's President Edgars Rinkēvičs issued a Teacher's Day greeting thanking the country's educators, emphasizing that a wise and supportive teacher is invaluable to students.
On Monday, October 5, Latvia's President Edgars Rinkēvičs sent a congratulatory message to the country's teachers marking Teacher's Day, the Presidential Chancery reported.
In his address, the president thanked teachers for their work benefiting both Latvia's future and the present lives of children and young people. He also acknowledged past educators who taught people to think and seek answers even under difficult circumstances.
Rinkēvičs noted that during their school years, students undergo a significant transformation — entering as young children and leaving as young adults. This process often raises questions that both students and their parents seek answers to, which is why, in his words, a wise, supportive and understanding teacher is invaluable.
A call to seek support
The president also addressed teachers directly, wishing them strength to stand by children and young people during difficult moments. At the same time, he urged teachers who feel their strength running low not to hesitate to seek help.
In the part of his message addressed to students, Rinkēvičs acknowledged that unfinished homework and misbehavior have always existed and will continue to exist. However, he suggested focusing less on failures and more on what can be achieved together with teachers, noting that the level of support teachers provide reflects students' own willingness to learn and grow.
Change of date
According to information on the Saeima's website, in April 2024 parliament decided that Teacher's Day in Latvia would henceforth be marked on October 5 rather than on the first Sunday of October, as was previously the case. The change followed the president's proposal to align the observance with International Teachers' Day, marked on October 5 since 1994 at UNESCO's initiative — the date chosen to honor the 1966 recommendation on the status of teachers adopted jointly by UNESCO and the International Labour Organization.
