General Education A1

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General Education (A1)

• Ministry of Education and Science
• 2004

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Everyone is entitled to education The state
shall provide for acquiring basic education and
secondary education free of charge Basic
education is compulsory
Satversme (Constitution) of the Republic of
Latvia, Chapter 8, Article 112
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Legislation On General Education

• Latvian Education Concept (1995)
• Education Development Concept for 2000 2005
• Law On Education (1998)
• stipulates the main organizational principles
  and procedures of education services
• Law On General Education (1999)
• stipulates in detail the main organizational
  principles and procedures of general education
  services
• Regulations issued by the Cabinet of Ministers
• Normative documents issued by the Ministry of
  Education and Science (decrees, instructions,
  methodology guidelines etc.)

Legislation, laws and regulations regulating
general education in Latvia are being adopted in
compliance with international legal norms for
education
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Main international documents on general
education (1)

• UNO Convention On Childrens Rights (1989)
• UNESCO Convention On Discrimination In Education
  (1978)
• Global Declaration Education For All (Jomten
  Declaration) (1990) Dakar guidelines (2000)

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Main international documents on general
education (2)

• Lisbon Strategy (2000)
• Reports and recommendations of European Councils
  Commission for Education and Culture
• European Council General Convention On The
  Protection of Ethnic Minorities (1995)

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Main objectives for general education identified
in international documents (1)

• Strategic Objective 1 improving the
  quality and effectiveness of general education
  system in the EU
• improving education and training for teachers and
  trainers
• developing skills for the knowledge society
• ensuring access to ICT for everyone
• increasing recruitment to scientific and
  technical studies
• making the best use of resources

The Work programme of European Commission and
European Council of Ministers for Education
Education and Training in Europe multiple
systems, common goals for 2010 in compliance
with Lisbon Strategy, 2002
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Main objectives for general education identified
in international documents (2)

• Strategic Objective 2 facilitating the access
  of all to general education
• creating an open learning environment
• making learning more attractive
• supporting active citizenship, equal
  opportunities and social cohesion

The Work programme of European Commission and
European Council of Ministers for Education
Education and Training in Europe multiple
systems, common goals for 2010 in compliance
with Lisbon Strategy, 2002
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Main objectives for general education identified
in international documents (3)

• Strategic Objective 3 opening up education
  system to the wider world
• strengthening the links with work and research,
  and
• society at large
• developing the spirit of enterprise
• improving foreign language learning
• increasing mobility and exchange
• strengthening European cooperation

The Work programme of European Commission and
European Council of Ministers for Education
Education and Training in Europe multiple
systems, common goals for 2010 in compliance
with Lisbon Strategy, 2002
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Developmental target for general education system

• Providing for such changes in the system
• of general education, which facilitate the
  development of democratic and socially integrated
  knowledge based society and advance the
  competitiveness
• of Latvian national economy, thus ensuring
• that Latvia joins the European Union as an equal
  member state, while retaining and
• developing the special culture values that are
  characteristic to Latvia

From Education Development Concept for 2002 2005
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Developmental objectives for general education
system

• increasing education quality of all stages and
  types of education in line with the development
  needs of society and national economy
• facilitating the access to education for all
  people of Latvia within the context of lifelong
  learning
• raising the cost efficiency of education in all
  stages and types of education

Education Development Concept for 2002 2005
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Stakeholders in the provision of general
education services

• the following three main stakeholders are
  involved in ensuring the achievement of goals and
  objectives for general education system
• state
• municipalities
• non-governmental sector
• the rights, duties and division of
  responsibilities of stakeholders have been
  stipulated by the legislation on education

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The responsibilities of state (government) for
general education (1)

• adopting legislation on general education
• developing normative documents on the
  organization of general education services,
  following the principle of equal opportunities
  for all, irrespective of the region, social
  status, nationality or religious beliefs, gender
  or special needs, and in compliance with the
  legislation adopted in Latvia and the European
  Union

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The responsibilities of state (government) for
general education (2)

• determining the curriculum standards for general
  education, content of general education
  programmes and guidelines for the development of
  teaching and learning resources
• stipulating the requirements for general
  education institutions for commencing their
  activities, registering of education institutions
  and licensing of education programmes

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The responsibilities of state (government) for
general education (3)

• coordination of education quality assessment
  systems (national examinations and tests,
  accreditation of education institutions and
  programmes, operation of State Education
  Inspectorate, common requirements for teacher
  training and qualifications)
• projecting the minimum costs of general education
  programmes, disposition of allocations for
  teacher salaries and stimulating the attraction
  of different funds and investments in education

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The main responsibilities of municipalities for
general education (1)

• organizing the development of education
  institutions network, ensuring the access to
  qualitative general education
• coordinating the inclusion of children, who have
  reached the age of compulsory schooling, in the
  system of general education
• providing financially the maintenance of
  education institutions, allocating the earmarked
  subsidies from national budget

Article 17, Law On Education
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The main responsibilities of municipalities for
general education (2)

• responsibility for the operation of each general
  education institution in general
• organizing teacher professional development
• coordinating and supporting methodological
  activities
• participation in the provision of hobby education
  services

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Participation of non-governmental sector in
general education (1)

• organizing the provision of general education
  services in private education institutions (in
  the school year of 2003/04 in 63 private general
  education institutions)
• ensuring the availability of text books and
  teaching and learning resources following the
  conditions set by free market (16 publishing
  houses and publishers)
• participation in the provision of teacher
  in-service training services (programme
  Step-by-step, School Support Centre, activities
  of Environment School for Children, etc.)

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Participation of non-governmental sector in
general education (2)

• solving the problem issues of education with the
  help of financial assistance from public funds
  (Soros Foundation Latvia, Latvian Childrens
  Fund, Velku Fund etc.)
• raising public awareness on the issues of quality
  and accessibility of general education
  (researches and reports of non-governmental
  organizations Save the Children, Apeirons,
  Soros Foundation Latvia etc.)

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State institutions providing for the functioning
of general education system

• Ministry of Education and Science
• Curriculum and Examination Centre
• State Education Inspectorate
• State Youth Initiative Centre
• town and regional Education Boards

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Curriculum and Examination Centre (1)

• a state administrative body established in 1994,
  and its activity is regulated by the Regulation
  approved by the Minister of Education and Science

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Curriculum and Examination Centre (2)

• main areas of activity
• development, piloting and revision of the
  curriculum for general education
• evaluation and approval of text books
• establishment of a single national test system
  and introduction of centralized examinations
• diagnostics and monitoring of learning
  achievements
• organization of examinations in the State
  Language
• coordination of teacher in-service training
• identification of very talented students,
  coordination of the participation in national and
  international Olympic competitions

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State Education Inspectorate (1)

• a state control and education quality monitoring
  institution established in 1991, which is
  independent in its activity
• consists of five regional branches Riga,
  Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme and Latgale. It employs
  39 inspectors and staff members
• the activity of State Education Inspectorate is
  regulated by Article 20 of the Law On Education
  and the Regulation approved by the Cabinet of
  Ministers

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State Education Inspectorate (2)

• main areas of activity
• systematic control of the compliance of the
  activities of education institutions with laws
  and regulations
• assessment of the quality of curriculum
  implementation
• provision for respecting public rights in the
  area of education

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State Youth Initiative Centre (1)

• a state administrative body established in 1996
  for implementing youth policy
• the activity of State Youth Initiative Centre is
  regulated by the Regulation approved by the
  Minister of Education and Science

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State Youth Initiative Centre (2)

• main areas of activity
• provision of methodology assistance to
  municipalities and their bodies in the areas of
  hobby education, education and youth affairs
• coordination of the system of annual national
  events for children and young people
• organization of in-service training for teachers
  and youth trainers

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Regional and Town Education Boards

• An institution established by a region or town,
  which carries out the functions of a municipality
  related to education, by ensuring
• possibilities to acquire pre-school education,
  general basic and general secondary education
• maintenance of education institutions
• support for methodology activities and in-service
  training
• social assistance to the children of low income
  families
• the activity of regional or town Education
  Boards, which carry out the functions of a
  municipality related to education, is regulated
  by the Regulation approved by municipality

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Regional Reform (1)Model of 102 municipalities
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Regional Reform (2)Model of 33 municipalities
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Levels of general education (1)

• pre-school education
• including the acquisition of compulsory education
  for five- and six-year old children
• compulsory general basic education (grades 1 9)
  
• general secondary education (grades 10 12)

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Levels of general education (2)

• the possibilities to acquire education is
  provided in all the levels of general education
  for
• children with special needs
• children of ethnic minorities (Russian,
  Byelorussia, Ukrainian, Polish, Jewish, Gypsy,
  Lithuanian, Estonian)
• children of foreign citizens
• Every resident of Latvia, irrespective of his/
  her age shall be entitled to acquire or continue
  general basic and general secondary education in
  the form that suits his/ her needs in full time
  or par time studies (Article 8, Law On Education)

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Level of pre-school education (1)

• a level of education, where comprehensive childs
  development, health strengthening, preparation
  for the acquisition of basic education takes
  place (Article 1, point 18, Law On Education)
• encompasses childs mental, physical and social
  development up to the age of 7
• pre-school education is provided by implementing
  pre-school curriculum in pre-school education
  institutions, pre-school groups or in families
  (Article 22, Law On General Education)

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Level of pre-school education (2)

• includes the preparation of 5 and 6 year old
  children for the acquisition of basic education
  (Law On Education 4Article)
• the compulsory preparation of five and six year
  old children for the acquisition of basic
  education is provided in pre-school education
  institutions, special pre-school education
  institutions, preparatory groups of general
  education institutions, as well as in families
  (Article 22,Law On General Education)

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Level of general basic education (1)

• a level of education, where the preparation for
  secondary education level or professional
  activity, acquisition of basic knowledge and
  skills required for persons social and
  individual life, development of value orientation
  and involvement in public life take place(Article
  1, point 15, Law On Education)
• the acquisition of general basic education
  usually starts at the age of 7 or, in exceptional
  cases, a year earlier or later (Article 4, Law On
  Education Article 32, Law On General Education)
  and it lasts 9 years, or is continued till the
  age of 18
• Within the context of some other countries,
  grades 7 9 are regarded as the stage of lower
  secondary (pre-secondary) education.

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Level of general basic education (2)

• depending on the structure of education
  institution and organization of teaching and
  learning process, the programmes of general basic
  education are provided in primary schools and
  basic schools (Article 29, Law On General
  Education)
• basic education can be acquired in vocational
  schools, special education institutions, night
  (part time) secondary schools, education
  institutions or classes of social or pedagogic
  correction (Article 29, Law On General Education)

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Level of general secondary education (1)

• a level of education, which provides
• comprehensive growth of personality
• purposeful and deepened development in the
  consciously chosen area of general education or
  professional education and training
• preparation for the studies in higher education
  level or professional activity
• involvement in social life

(Article 1, point 28, Law On Education)
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Level of general secondary education (2)

• general secondary education is acquired in three
  years (grades 10 - 12)
• depending on the structure of education
  institution and organization of teaching and
  learning process, the programmes of general
  secondary education are provided in secondary
  schools, night (part time) secondary schools,
  gymnasiums (Article 40, Law On General Education)

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The structure of general education
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Classification of general education programmes
Instruction No.381 of July 21, 1999, issued by
MoES On Classification And Approval of the
Codes of General Education Programmes
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General education institutions in the school
year of 2003/04
Data source LR Central Board of Statistics, 2003
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A general education institution (1)

• founded by state, municipality, other legal
  entities or physical persons
• its activities are regulated by the legislation
  on education, laws and regulations, and charter
  of general education institution approved by the
  founder
• managed by its manager (principal), who is
  employed by the founder of general education
  institution, coordinating it with the Ministry of
  Education and Science

Article 7, Article 8, Article 9, Article 10 and
Article 11, Law On General Education
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A general education institution (2)

• the manager of a general education institution
  shall have the following responsibilities for
• implementing education programmes
• staffing with teachers
• ensuring functioning of general education
  institution
• rational use of financial and material resources
• ensuring self-government of education institution
• provides one or more programmes of general
  education

Article 7, Article 8, Article 9, Article 10 and
Article 11, Law On General Education
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Charter of a general education institution

• is a document, where the education institution
  shall give
• its title, legal address, founders
• targets and areas of activity
• education programmes to be implemented
• rights and duties of students, teachers, other
  staff members
• procedures for establishing education
  institutions Council, School Board (Teachers
  Board) and self-government, and their
  responsibilities
• economic activities
• financing sources and procedure
• other provisions that are in compliance with the
  respective laws and regulations

Article 9, Law On General Education
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Democratic institutions in an education
institution (1)

• Education Institutions Council
• a collegiate institution that has been
  established for ensuring the cooperation with
  community, municipality and parents
• main tasks
• devising recommendations for the development of
  education institution
• promoting the activity of education institutions
  support funds
• coordinating the disposition of donations for
  education institution

Article 12 and Article 13, Law On General
Education
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Democratic institutions in an education
institution (2)

• School (Teachers) Board
• a collegiate institution established by the
  teachers working in the respective education
  institution
• main tasks
• resolving various issues related to teaching and
  learning processes

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Teaching staff of general education establishments

• psychologist of education
• special teacher
• teacher speech therapist
• methodologist of education
• librarian of education institution
• teachers of hobby education groups

• Head Teacher Deputy Principal responsible for
  education issues
• teachers of subject areas

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Services provided by education institutions (1)

• range of education programmes (different levels
  of education, education programmes of different
  paths, special types)
• access to book stocks in libraries
• access to computers and Internet
• day care centre for grades 1 3

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Services provided by education institutions (2)

• optional and individual classes
• offer of hobby education and in-service training
  programmes
• catering service
• hotels for service use (dormitories) and boarding
  schools
• services of medical staff

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Number of general education institutions,
students (children), teaching staff
Data source LR Central Board of Statistics,
2003 Information on the stage of pre-school
education from MoES GED, 2003
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Number of children (students) in education as to
their ethnic origin
Data source LR Central Board of Statistics,
2003 Information on the stage of pre-school
education from MoES GED, 2003
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General special education institutions and number
of children in them
Data sourceMoES Statistics Department, 2003
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Private general education institutions (1)

• founders of private general education
  institutions are legal entities or physical
  persons, whose one of the areas of activities is
  the provision of education and training
  programmes
• state and municipalities participate in the
  financing of private general education
  institutions if the language of instruction for
  providing the programmes of general basic and/ or
  general secondary education is the state language

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Private general education institutions (2)

• in the school year of 2003/04, in pre-school
  education there were 22 private pre-school
  education institutions, in general basic and
  secondary education 41 private education
  institutions

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Network of private general education
institutions in the school year of 2003/04
Not including private pre-school education
institutions
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Changes in the number of students in private
education institutions
Data source LR Central Board of Statistics, 2002
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Quality assurance measures for general education
(1)

• national curriculum has been devised for all
  levels of general education and the requirements
  for its implementation have been stipulated,
  irrespective of the language of instruction
  (Regulations No.462 Regulations On National
  Standard For Compulsory Education issued by the
  Cabinet of Ministers, Regulations No. 463
  Regulations On National Standard For General
  Secondary Education issued by the Cabinet of
  Ministers)
• the programme principle has been introduced in
  general education, licensing and accreditation
  procedure has been implemented for the programmes
  of general education

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Quality assurance measures for general education
(2)

• single examination system has been established
  (tests are devised in three languages Latvian,
  Russian, Polish), at the end of the levels of
  general basic education (grade 9) and general
  secondary education (grade 12) centralized
  examinations are organized, and at the end of
  grade 3 and 6 national tests
• evaluation system of education institutions
  operation (accreditation of education
  institutions) has been introduced

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Quality assurance measures for general education
(3)

• laws and regulations on the cost minimum of
  general education programmes have been stipulated
  
• requirements for teacher training and
  professional qualifications have been stipulated

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Quality assurance measures for general education
(4)

• development process of text books and teaching
  learning resources has been upgraded (in Latvia,
  text books and resources are developed and issued
  in at least two languages), and the publishing of
  text books and teaching learning resources
  takes place in the conditions of free market,
  following the criteria set by the Ministry of
  Education and Science
• participation in international comparative
  researches in education (IES, OECD etc.)

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The proportion of students under 18 involved in
general education (in ) in 2002 (out of the
total number of children in Latvia)
Data source MoES GED, 2002
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Projected number of students in classes in the
school year of 2007/08 if compared to the school
year of 2002/03
Information source MoES GED, 2002
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The breakdown of students, who have completed
general basic education programmes, in further
education in 2002
Data source LR Central Board of Statistics, 2003
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Quality assessment of the curriculum for basic
education
SKDS surveyThe distribution of students
learning load in curriculum acquisition in the
opinion of students parents October November
, 2002
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Expenditure per one student of secondary
education (talking into consideration the
purchasing power)
European Commission/ Eurydice, Eurostat,
2002 Data presented in the forum of Latvian
education leaders and teachers My school in the
EU, 2004
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The breakdown of students, who have completed
general secondary education programmes, in
further education in 2002
Data source LR Central Board of Statistics, 2003
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The breakdown of students in higher education
specialization fields (according to ISCED97
classification)
Data source LR Central Board of Statistics, 2003
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State financing for general education (1)

• earmarked subsidies for the salaries of teachers
  working in municipal general education
  institutions
• earmarked subsidies for the salaries of teachers
  working in municipal general special education
  institutions

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State financing for general education (2)

• earmarked subsidies for municipal special
  pre-school education institutions, boarding
  schools and sanatoria type boarding schools,
  special boarding schools for children with
  physical and mental disabilities
• earmarked subsidies for the salaries of teachers
  working in municipal education institutions for
  educating the five and six years old children
• investment projects (Education Improvement
  Project, Latvian Education Computerization System
  project, school renovation projects initiated by
  municipalities, projects of European Union
  Structural funds)

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Expenditure for education (in ) from GNP (1999)
European Commission/ Eurydice, Eurostat,
2002 Data presented in the forum of Latvian
education leaders and teachers My school in the
EU, 2004
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The share of capital expenditure in education (in
)
European Commission/ Eurydice, Eurostat,
2002 Data presented in the forum of Latvian
education leaders and teachers My school in the
EU, 2004
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Capital expenditure in education
From Eurydice 2002 and OECD 2003