Education and Science, Financial Services, Latvia

This is necessary to concentrate resources and ensure more effective utilization of budget funds, told the ministry.

Consolidation of higher education institutions is taking place in many countries in Europe at the moment. The goal is to make more efficient use of limited resources, improve quality of studies and research, and increase higher education institutions' competitiveness.

At the moment, teacher training is fragmented in Latvia, furthermore, comparatively large number of teachers graduate each year (more than a thousand), while only a small part of them go on to work as teachers - 200 to 400 annually.

Therefore, the Education and Science Ministry believes, teacher training should be concentrated at such universities and colleges that can provide quality infrastructure and research opportunities and academic personnel.

The consolidation will cause no financial losses for the academy's students, and their rights to education will not be infringed upon as they will be able to continue their studies at other universities and colleges without having to pay anything on top of what they currently pay for their studies. They will be offered to continue their education at the University of Latvia, Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, BA School of Business and Finance, Riga Technical University, or some of the regional universities and colleges.

The Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy was established in 1994. It has 3,514 students at the moment.