Riga, Dec 29 (LETA) - 117 mentors have been trained in Latvia to support young people in the project School in the Community from January next year, the State Education Development Agency (VIAA) informed LETA.

Mentoring support is intended for young people from the age of 13 at risk of early school leaving or social exclusion. Support will be provided on an individual basis, based on a support plan prepared by the educational institution.

Mentoring training took place at the end of the year in five regions of Latvia - Rezekne, Jelgava, Valmiera, Liepaja and Riga.

According to the VIAA, at least 400 more mentors are planned to be trained across Latvia in 2026 and 2027.

The School in the Community project is expected to strengthen cooperation between schools, local authorities and parents to help pupils stay in education and reduce social exclusion, according to the project's website. It will include mentor training, one-to-one support for pupils and supervision for teachers.

The project will also provide subject support for pupils who have failed the centralized exams and are re-entering Grade 9.

Although delayed, the project started last year and is planned to run until 2029. The project is funded by the European Social Fund Plus.