Latvia’s Ministry of Education and Science defended its upcoming family values and health literacy curriculum against political criticism, denying any reliance on religiously conservative frameworks or the controversial Teen Star program during a parliamentary inquiry.
Parliamentary Inquiry and Ministry Defense Over Curriculum Plans
Latvia’s Ministry of Education and Science rejected opposition scrutiny during a meeting of the Saeima’s Public Requests Committee, pushing back against claims that upcoming updates to national education standards would introduce religious or ideological doctrines. The controversy centers on an informational report presented to the government in early October, which outlines plans to incorporate family values and health literacy into general education.
The opposition Progressives party submitted a formal parliamentary inquiry challenging the initiative, while trade union representatives called for the health education component to be scrapped entirely. Lawmakers ultimately rejected the inquiry at the close of Wednesday’s committee session.
Educational Frameworks and International Research Cited by Officials
Addressing criticism that the curriculum draws from ideological sources, the ministry detailed an extensive comparative analysis of international educational standards.
- Finland’s approach to health education
- Estonia’s Human Studies subject
- Educational frameworks in Ireland, England, and Wales
- Ontario’s Family Studies curriculum
- United States Family and Consumer Sciences standards
For family relationships, the agency reviewed Bowen family systems theory and research on personal boundaries and resilience. Human development topics drew on James Gross’s 2015 theoretical review of emotion regulation, while relationship safety and sexuality modules incorporated a 2023 meta-analysis by Kang and colleagues covering 34 studies, as well as a 2021 literature review by Goldfarb and Lieberman.
Controversy Surrounding the Teen Star Program and Project Leadership
Opposition lawmakers and education sector leaders voiced sharp concerns that the module would mirror religiously conservative programs. During the government meeting, Inga Vanaga, head of the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees, urged officials to remove the family health component, arguing that it carried political and ideological influences associated with the Teen Star program.
Investigative reporting published earlier in 2026 by the Latvian magazine Ir highlighted that Manuel Joaquín Fernández-González, a researcher at Latvian University associated with the Catholic organization Opus Dei, had promoted Teen Star in his research on moral and sexual education. The researcher has worked to introduce new moral and sexual education materials across educational institutions in the country, creating methodological resources for teachers on instructing children on virtues from preschool through the final year of high school. Early in the year, reports noted that his study on youth moral sex education highlighted Teen Star as a positive teaching material that promotes a critical stance against the propaganda of contraception and safe sex. The program, developed in the United States in the 1980s, has faced criticism in several European countries, including Bavaria, for fostering gender biases and promoting a critical stance toward contraception.
Officials stated that only one policy recommendation from the project was retained—strengthening values education within existing guidelines—and confirmed that Fernández-González will not participate as an author in developing the upcoming module.
Next Steps and Development Timeline for the Curriculum Module
Minister of Education and Science Ilze Indriksone maintained that the curriculum updates remain strictly non-ideological. The ministry pledged that the compulsory national framework will comply with constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of religion, the separation of church and state, and the separation of education and religion outlined in Latvia’s Education Law.
The family values and health literacy module is scheduled to be developed by 30 April 2027. The drafting process will include consultations with teachers, education experts, sector specialists, and social partners before relevant model subject curricula are updated.