Latvia is launching a significant financial and professional support initiative aimed at retaining newly qualified educators within the school system. Starting in the 2026/2027 academic year, new teachers will be eligible for a monthly stipend of up to €200 alongside a comprehensive mentoring program designed to bridge the gap between university graduation and full-time professional life.
The project, titled “Induction Year Support for New Teachers,” is led by the University of Latvia (LU) in collaboration with several regional higher education institutions. Funded through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the program addresses a critical challenge faced by many European nations: the high attrition rate of teachers during their first three years in the classroom. By providing both a financial cushion and a structured support network, the Latvian government aims to foster a more resilient and motivated workforce.
The Support Framework
The induction year is not merely a financial grant; it is a structured professional development pathway. Participants will be integrated into a system that offers more than just a paycheck. Throughout the academic year, educators will receive:
- Individual Curator Support: One-on-one guidance to navigate the administrative and emotional challenges of a new school environment.
- Professional Development: 120 hours of specialized training (equivalent to 5 ECTS credits) focusing on pedagogy, psychology, and classroom management.
- Expert Consultations: Access to senior colleagues and subject-matter experts to refine teaching techniques.
- Structured Observation: Support during lesson observations to provide constructive feedback rather than high-stakes evaluation.
This model mirrors “Early Career Frameworks” seen in other jurisdictions, such as the UK, but adds a direct cash incentive, which is increasingly being used in the Baltic region to compete with private-sector salaries for young graduates.
Eligibility and Requirements
The program is specifically targeted at those entering the profession during a critical window. To qualify for the stipend and the professional support, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Qualification Timing: Must have obtained their teaching qualification in either 2025 or 2026.
- Employment Status: Must be in a formal employment relationship with an educational institution registered in the official Latvian Register of Educational Institutions.
- Workload Limitation: To ensure teachers have the capacity to engage with the professional development aspect, they must work no more than four days per week in their teaching role.
- Commitment: Applicants must be ready to participate in group training sessions throughout the entire school year.
The requirement to work a maximum of four days a week is a strategic move to prevent early-career burnout, allowing the fifth day for the 120 hours of professional competence training and self-reflection.
Timeline and Implementation
The induction year program is scheduled to run from August 2026 through May 2027. While the University of Latvia is the lead partner, the program is a nationwide effort involving Daugavpils University, the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, the RSU Latvian Academy of Sport Education, and the RTU academies in Liepāja and Rēzekne.
For schools, the project offers a way to stabilize their staff rosters. By participating, institutions signal their openness to collaborative mentoring, which is often a deciding factor for young professionals choosing where to start their careers. This initiative comes at a time when the Baltic states are aggressively modernizing their education systems to meet EU standards while grappling with the demographic challenges of an aging teaching workforce.
Prospective participants and school administrators can find more detailed information on the University of Latvia’s official scientific and project portal. Inquiries regarding the application process for the 2026 intake are currently being handled via the project’s dedicated coordination email.
Source: Daugavpils valstspilsētas pašvaldība
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