Riga, Feb 6 (LETA) - The planned changes in the network of preschool educational institutions in Riga will affect neighborhoods such as Vecmilgravis, Ilguciems, and Kengarags, said Vilnis Kirsis (New Unity), Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council, in an interview with the Latvian Television.

He revealed that ten kindergartens in Riga are to be physically closed, while several other preschools will be reorganized, which means that the kindergartens in these locations will remain, but legally they will be merged, which will save administrative resources.

Kirsis stressed that where the physical locations of the services are maintained, parents should have absolutely no worries, and even where kindergartens will be closed completely, other preschools are only a few blocks away.

As reported, due to the so-called demographic gap, the number of pupils in Riga is decreasing, and it is planned to close and merge several preschool and general education institutions, as in some locations the institutions are filled only 50 percent to 60 percent of their capacity.

More details on the upcoming changes in the network of preschool and general education institutions in Riga over the next two school years will be provided at a press conference to be held on Friday at Riga City Hall.