MULTIFUNCTIONALITY OF RURAL SCHOOL IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Latvia is facing major demographic changes that threaten the existence of local schools in rural communities.According to the priorities set by the Ministry of Education and Science, rural municipalities are implementing the school network reform by closing small rural schools.This process affects not only children and teachers but also the whole community: it increases social inequality, makes it difficult to provide qualitative education as close as possible to where children live, and promotes further depopulation of rural areas.Transforming schools into multifunctional community centres can help preserve schools and strengthen the quality of life of local communities.OECD research envisage that local schools can be developed according to different scenarios.In this study the authors believe that scenario related to more opened schools that experiment with different forms of learning in collaboration with the community is suitable for small rural schools in Latvia.The paper aims to explore the opportunities for rural school multifunctionality in local communities, taking into account their needs as well as to develop recommendations to promote sustainable development of local schools.The authors examine the main challenges and opportunities of adapting rural schools to the different cultural, social and economic needs of local communities.The paper presents the results of the case study analysis of Garoza elementary school in Jelgava County (Latvia).The study was completed in two phases during April and May, 2025.Firstly, a literature review was conducted as a desk-research, and, secondly, the focus group with school management, teachers, and local government representatives was organized to collect views of the local stakeholders on the possibilities for adapting schools to community needs and the necessary support mechanisms.The results show that the multifunctionality of rural schools can be an important solution for their sustainable development and strengthening local community.By adapting schools to the different needs of the local community, while simultaneously using the advantages of the rural environment and small schools, it is possible to ensure their existence and promote regional development.To achieve this, strategic cooperation between school management, municipalities and the local community is necessary.