A description of the educational system in Latvia.

1. System of education in Latvia
Erasmus+
K2 project «WORDS UNITE US»
Gunta Dimitrijeva – project coordinator of Viesite Secondary school,
Latvia

2. LATVIA
 A country in north-eastern Europe on the coast of
the Baltic Sea. The capital city – Riga.
 Territory - 64,589 sq. km. The country is marked
by lowland plains, rolling hills and thousands of
rivers and lakes.
 Oceanic climate with average summer
temperatures of +20 C and winter temperatures
of - 5C, but extremes +30 and -25.
 Intellectual capacity is regarded as the nation’s
greatest resource.

3. Briefly about history of Latvia
 The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern
Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th
centuries A.D.).
 The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes
and Russians.
 Latvia is relatively new national state, founded on 18 November, 1918. It was
annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940 and regained its independence in 1991.
 The population is about 2 million inhabitants, nationalities – Latvians,
Russians, Byelorussians, Ukrainians, Poles, Lithuanians.
 Member country of the EU since 2004.
 Latvia is a parliamentary democracy. The state language is Latvian, which
belongs to the Indo-European family of languages.

4. Structure of education system of Latvia
Vocational –
after basic or general secondary
Secondary
Grades 10 - 12
Basic
Grades 1-9
Pre-school
Higher education

6. Pre-school and early childhood care
 It became mandatory for five- and six-year-old children.
 The objective of pre-school education is to foster the overall development of
children and to prepare them to enter the primary stage of basic general
education.
 It is provided by various pre-primary education institutions, kindergartens
(nurseries) or at special pre-primary classes at general education institutions.
 Pre-school education is considered the first stage of general education and all
children should complete it by the age of 7.
 In special cases where a child suffers from certain health or psychological
problems, based on either parental request or doctors’ recommendations, pre-
school education can be continued until the age of 8.
 The entire teaching process is organised through playing various targeted games.

7. Basic (Primary and Lower Secondary)
education
 Children in Latvia are obliged by law to attend school from the year when
they turn seven till the age of 16.
 Primary grades 1-4,
 Lower secondary grades 5 – 9
 Compulsory curriculum includes 4 subject areas: Introduction to technologies
and science; Languages; Art; Man and society.
 After finishing basic education, most young people continue their education
at upper secondary level in general upper secondary school, while about a
fourth attends technical and further education schools.

8. General upper secondary education
 Lasts for three years (grade 10-12).
 A school year is 35 weeks in 10-11 grade and 38 weeks in grade 12 with not
more than 36 lessons per week and 8 lessons per day.
 The compulsory curriculum of 3-year general upper secondary schools is
determined by the National Standard in the four standardised educational
profiles:
 (1) comprehensive education, without intensive teaching of any particular
subjects;
 (2) the humanities and social sciences programme;
 (3) the mathematics, natural science and technical science programme;
 (4) the vocational programme, where the general education curriculum places
emphasis on subjects in these particular fields.

9. Special education
 Special education schools or special education
classes within general education schools provide
education for children with special needs that
correspond to each individual’s physical and mental
condition.
 The structure of special education is very similar to
that of the mainstream education, providing
opportunities for persons with special needs to
attain general knowledge and skills with a 5 strong
emphasis on their applicability, thus facilitating
social inclusion.

10. Schools and other educational
establishments
 Day schools
 Evening schools
 Special schools
 Elementary schools (Grades1-4)
 Primary schools (Grades 5-9)
 Secondary (grades 10-12)
 Vocational schools and colleges (Vocational education)
 Universities, institutes and academies (Higher education)

11. Vocational and Further Education
 The National Standard of Vocational Education and the Occupational
Standards determine the curriculum content of vocational education
programmes. Practical training on-the-job comprises at least 20-25% of
studies.
 The theoretical part provides the knowledge needed in modern society:
languages, mathematics, natural sciences and social studies, communication
skills, etc.
 Standards and sample curricula are developed in cooperation with
professional associations representing different economic sectors.
 Based on the relevant standarts and sample programmes, schools develop
their own training programmes in accordance with the needs of the local
labour market.

12. Vocational and training and upper secondary
vocational education programmes
 Provide training in simple trades for pupils who have not finished compulsory nine-
year basic education by the age of 16. By successfully completing this educational
programme, the pupil obtains a basic education certificate and may go on to
upper secondary education.
 The aim of this form of education is to prevent marginalisation of pupils facing
social risk.
 Vocational education programmes lasting two or three years provide theoretical
and practical knowledge required for a skilled worker. On completing such a
vocational education programme, the student has not obtained a full upper
secondary education.
 Upper secondary vocational education programmes lasting four years provide much
wider theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This is a full secondary education
programme, so the school-leaver is entitled to enter higher education.

13. Higher education
 Latvia has two sorts of higher education programmes – academic and
professional. Such a division of higher education allows the student to choose
either research or professional activity in the future.
 Professional higher education is divided into two levels. First level
professional higher education programmes lasting 2-3 years after upper
secondary education are provided by Colleges.
 Second level professional higher education programmes last at least four
years after upper secondary education or two years after acquiring Bachelor’s
degree (3-year studies).
 These programmes, as well as higher academic education programmes are
offered at universities or non-university-type higher education institutions.

14. Adult and non-formal education
 Adult education in Latvia is supported by the principle of lifelong education.
 Different types of further education and training are offered to persons after
graduating from general upper secondary or 2-3 year vocational education and
training programs.
 These programs are focused on mastering professional skills and knowledge in line
with the requirements of the respective qualification level.
 The training process and assessment of achievements are organised in a similar
manner as in vocational secondary education and training programs.
 Labour market training for the unemployed accounts for the largest number of
participants in the adult education sector.
 Employment authorities provide a wide range of labour market training mainly
targeted at unemployed adults.
 Adults can follow a complete programme of basic education or upper secondary
education at evening schools.

15. List of relevant websites
 Central Statistical Bureau, Latvia: www.csb.lv
 Curriculum Development and Examination Centre, Latvia: www.isec.gov.lv
 Fit For Europe: Education, Study and Career Information on Europe:
www.fitforeurope.info
 http://www.enicnaric.net/index.aspx
 Higher Education Quality Evaluation Centre, Latvia: www.aiknc.lv
 Information Network in Education in Europe: www.eurydice.org
 Latvian Institute: www.li.lv
 Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia: www.izm.gov.lv
 State Education Development Agency, Latvia: www.viaa.gov.lv/Euroguidance
 Vocational Education Administration, Latvia: www.izmpia.gov.lv