RIGA, Dec 31 (LETA) - This year 45 educational institutions in Latvia have been liquidated, while 21 have been reorganized, according to information from the Ministry of Education and Science (MES).

The biggest changes this year affected Latgale and Kurzeme, where 18 educational institutions have been reorganized or liquidated. In Kurzeme, ten of them are kindergartens attached to other educational institutions. In Latgale, however, the changes have mainly affected primary schools, with ten educational institutions being abolished or attached to another school.

In Vidzeme, 13 educational institutions have been abolished or reorganized. Of these, seven are comprehensive primary schools, two are special primary schools, two are secondary schools and two are kindergartens.

In the Riga region, nine educational institutions, mainly primary and secondary schools, have been abolished or reorganized this year. In Zemgale, eight educational institutions have been abolished or reorganized.

The decision to establish, reorganize or close an educational institution is taken by the municipality as the founder of the educational institution. Local governments inform the Ministry of Education and Science of their decision by submitting documents and asking the Ministry to approve the decision.

When considering the issues of approval of the municipality's decision, the Ministry of Education and Science assesses the quality of the educational institution's work, the availability of further education, the provision of transport, and the development of the network of educational institutions in the municipality. The views of the involved sides - pupils, teachers, parents - are also taken into account, according to the MES.