Latvian education minister mulls resignation after dozens of kids become sick at festival

Latvian Education and Science Minister Marite Seile was contemplating resignation on Monday after dozens of children who took part in the Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival were taken to hospital with various health issues last weekend.

Last Sunday, the minister cancelled the traditional parade of the festival's participants in Riga after several dozen children fainted during the final rehearsal of the closing concert on Saturday afternoon.

Later, though, participants were allowed to go ahead with the parade, and the vast majority of them took part in the event which had been intended as the festival's culmination.

Altogether 62 kids were rushed to hospital with various health issues during the festival, and a total of 50 children fainted during Saturday's rehearsal, which took place on an open air stage.

Parents and teachers slammed the Education and Science Ministry for poor communication.

Seile said on Monday that she took full political responsibility for what had happened and that she was ready to stand down if necessary.

"I regret that this issue prevails in discussions about the song festival. I am assuming full responsibility for the situation that occurred during the festival. If there is a demand for my political responsibility to materialize into resignation, I am ready for that. This is not an emotional decision, and I want to talk to the prime minister first," Seile said.

She added that she will probably make up her mind regarding her possible resignation after meeting with the premier on Tuesday.

Nearly 38,000 schoolchildren from across Latvia took part in the XI Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival, which was held in Riga from July 6-12. Endit