RIGA, Jan 21 (LETA) - Despite rapidly rising Covid-19 incidence in Latvia, Education and Science Minister Anita Muizniece is not ready to discuss a transition to distance learning for all schoolchildren at this stage. 

In an interview with LNT TV channel on Friday the minister said that quite a few schoolchildren have already been forced to switch to distance learning and the epidemiological situation can become even worse, but she is still not ready to discuss remote learning for everyone because the situation differs across various regions. 

The minister pointed out that distance learning means extremely serious challenges for small kids' parents. 

Although the school holidays last fall were extended by a week, there are no plans at the moment to lengthen the school year, Muizniece said. 

The minister admitted that laboratories are currently struggling to cope with increased demand for Covid-19 tests and the situation is not expected to become easier in the near term. 

Commenting on the shortages of teaching staff, the minister said that there are job vacancies in the education sector but that the situation is not dramatic.