Latvia issues guidelines to delay school start times

The Latvian Ombudsman, Karina Palkova, has expressed support for new measures aimed at addressing early school start times to ensure children receive adequate sleep for their development. Following recommendations from the Ombudsman’s office and the Children's Clinical University Hospital, the Ministry of Education and Science has developed new guidelines.

Starting from the 2026/2027 school year, educational institutions are advised to set start times no earlier than 8:30 for students in grades 1–6, and no earlier than 9:00 for students in grades 7–12. These guidelines are based on research regarding children's commutes and sleep needs.

Some municipalities, such as Kekava and Bauska, are addressing the issue through broader systemic changes, including reorganizing public transport networks to reduce commute times. This approach aims to allow students to spend more time sleeping rather than traveling to school.