Resolution of the 2nd Latvian Parent Conference

2nd Conference of Parents of Latvia "To Study in the Native Language"

Riga, November 24, 2001

Conference Decision

1. Resolution on confirming the demands of the First Conference of Parents of Latvia

1. Address to the Saeima and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia On educational policy of the State in Latvia concerning national minorities of Latvia,
2. Address to the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia On guarantees for education in mother tongue,
3. Address to the Latvia - Russia Intergovernmental Committee.

2. Resolution on cancellation of transition of secondary school into Latvian language

The Conference demands cancellation of the provision of the LR Education Law which stipulates that 'on September 1, 2004 in the 10th grade of state and municipal general education institutions and in the 1st year of state and municipal vocational education institutions studies shall begin only in the state (i.e. Latvian) language' (division 3 of Article 9 of the Order of Coming of the Law into Force).

3. Resolution on principles of school education of minorities in Latvia

The Conference stands for such school education, which in the context of integration of the society in Latvia would guarantee safeguarding and development of minorities' mother tongues in Latvia.
The Conference supports the following principles of school education of minorities in Latvia:

1. Domineering of the mother tongue in the school education as the condition for providing natural, harmonious development of the student, as well as for reproducing ethnic and cultural identity of the minority; teaching general education subjects mostly in students' mother tongue;
2. Latvian language acquisition primarily at the Latvian language lessons, using modern effective methods of teaching and dividing the classes into small groups; as well as using of the Latvian language as the language of instruction for study subjects connected with history and culture of Latvia;
3. Introducing a block of subjects, providing students with knowledge about Latvia and their integration into the society of Latvia.
4. 4. Introducing a block of subjects, providing students with knowledge about the country of origin of the language and culture of the minority, its cultural inheritance and place in the world history.

The Conference asks the LR Ministry of Education and Science, LR Naturalisation Board, LR Ministry of Justice, Soros Foundation - Latvia to support the Models of Programmes of Primary and Secondary education for national minorities, worked out by Latvian Association for Support of Schools with Russian Language of Instruction (LAShOR) on the basis of these principles and to promote the development of standards of new subjects of the suggested Programmes.

4. Resolution on minimal number of students in national minority classes

The Conference demands the LR Ministry of Education and Science to determine that the minimal number of students, necessary for forming a class in primary school, which provides educational programme for national minority, is 6 (six) students, but in secondary school - 12 (twelve).

5. Resolution on the status of national school

The Conference finds it necessary to determine the status of national school, which would guarantee the school can choose the languages of instruction and the amount of using them.

6. Resolution on changes in state policy of integration of the society

The Conference considers it unacceptable to use transition of state-funded schools to the Latvian language as a means for integrating the society.

The Conference demands to include into the concept and the state programme "Integration of the Society in Latvia" the provision that would recognise teaching in primary and secondary schools of the minorities of Latvia primarily in the language of the minority as necessary condition for integration of the society.

7. Resolution on ratification of the Framework Convention of the Council of Europe

The Conference demands that the Republic of Latvia immediately and fully ratify the Framework Convention of the Council of Europe for the Protection of National Minorities.

8. Resolution on Latvia - Russia Intergovernmental Agreement

The Conference asks the governments of the Republic of Latvia and Russian Federation to quicken signing the Intergovernmental agreement, which would promote development of education in minority languages in the Republic of Latvia and Russian Federation.

9. Resolution on international protection of educational possibilities for minorities

The Conference suggests that the United Nations Organisation, Organisation on Security and Co-operation in Europe and the European Union should work out and adopt international agreements that would provide that while reforming the education states do not worsen educational possibilities for minorities, including those for the groups which acquired the status of minority as the result of political changes and changes of state borders.

10. Resolution on rights of linguistic minorities

The Conference suggests that the European Commission and the Europarliament should work out and adopt legal norms, providing rights for linguistic minorities in countries - members of the European Union.

11. Resolution on LAShOR authorisations

The Conference authorises LAShOR to voice the interests of Conference's participants and authorises LAShOR to represent their interests in communication with the state institutions, legislative institutions and implementing authorities of the Republic of Latvia, as well as international organisations.

The Conference commissions LAShOR to submit the documents of the Conference to the respective authorities and institutions of the Republic of Latvia and international institutions and reach the implementation of Conference's resolutions.