Integration and Minority Information Service: newsletter of 27 March 2009

Today news:

 Saeima refused proposal to grant monthly benefits to veterans of the anti-Hitler coalition

Latvijas Avize reports about results of a study “Latvian Language Proficiency and Usage in Higher Education Establishments. Results of Education Reform” conducted by the State Language Agency. 1st and 2nd year students (graduates of minority schools) from 12 higher education establishments were interviewed in the framework of the study. According to the study, 45% of ethnic minority students consider that they have sufficient Latvian language proficiency to study in Latvian. The rest of the students face difficulties studying fully in Latvian. 24% of students consider that they have a need to improve their Latvian. University professors interviewed by Latvijas Avize stated that Latvian language proficiency of students minority schools graduates has grown during last years, however, the biggest problems for such students is paperwork, such as bachelors and masters papers which must be written in Latvian.

Yesterday, the Saeima has refused proposal of the Concord Centre to grant monthly benefits of LVL 50 (EUR 71) to the anti-Hitler coalition veterans living in Latvia. Telegraf

For further information:

Latvian Centre for Human Rights