New teachers will now be able to apply for induction year support within the first two years after obtaining their qualification. As before, during one working year, they will have access to scholarships and practical professional development support to help them integrate more successfully into the school environment.
Support for graduates of teacher education programmes is provided with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU) funds. This is stipulated by amendments to the regulations prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), which were approved today, 27 May, at the Cabinet meeting.
The amendments are necessary due to the insufficient engagement of the planned target group—newly qualified teachers—in the project. By extending the application eligibility for induction year support to two years after graduation, it is expected that a larger number of new teachers will be reached and supported during the remaining course of the project. The amendments also create the opportunity for new teachers to receive professional support in the second year after graduation, in cases where they did not initially recognise the need for support.
The induction year provides systematic support to new teachers after obtaining their teaching qualification. Within the first two years of work in a school following graduation from a teacher education programme, new teachers are entitled to one year of individualised support through professional development groups and lesson observation, which are essential for receiving feedback and strengthening teaching skills. The support also enables new teachers to enhance their knowledge through professional development programmes. During their first working year in school, newly qualified teachers will also receive a monthly scholarship of EUR 200 for 10 months.
The support programme is expected to increase interest in teacher education and promote the choice of the teaching profession. Graduates from teacher education programmes at the University of Latvia, Daugavpils University, Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Riga Stradiņš University, and Riga Technical University are expected to participate in the newly established support programme.
The amendments to the regulations—"Amendments to Cabinet Regulation No. 403 of 13 July 2023 on the Implementation of Measure 4.2.2.7 'Implementation of the Induction Year in Teacher Education Programmes' under Specific Objective 4.2.2 of the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027"—were approved by the Cabinet of Ministers and are available on the official website of the Cabinet.
