As early as the beginning of January 2017, the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (LIZDA) went public with their claim that liquidation proceedings of the Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy (RPIVA) were not legal. Moreover, LIZDA asked policy makers in education and the parties involved to stop liquidation of the academy, which had been started in haste.

LIZDA and other organisations have indicated several times to the Ministry of Education and Science that the draft documents on liquidating the academy were defective; however, the indications were not taken into account on their merits.

Sorainen Latvia drafted an opinion regarding compliance by the Cabinet’s draft order “Liquidation of Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy” with the legal framework. The opinion discloses several defects in the draft order, as well as assessing certain problematic issues that could arise when the order is enforced.

LIZDA has sent the opinion to Prime Minister Mâris Kuèinskis, factions of political parties represented in the Parliament, independent MP Artuss Kaimiòš, the Parliamentary Education, Culture and Science Commission, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Council of Higher Education, the Rectors’ Council, the Latvian Student Association, and the Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy.

In this case, pro-bono legal assistance was provided to the client by partner Agris Repšs and counsel Raivo Raudzeps