Educational system in Latvia

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Basic facts about the Republic of Latvia:

• Location - Northeast Europe, eastern coast of the Baltic Sea Area - 64 589 km 2 

• Population ~2 million (urban-68%, rural-32%)• Capital - Riga, 747 000 residents• Ethnic composition - 57,6% Latvian, 29.6%

Russian, 4.1% Byelorussian, 2.7% Ukrainian, 2,5% Polish, 1,4% Lithuanian, 2,1% other nationalities 

• Main religions - Lutheran Protestant, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox

• Official language - Latvian (the Baltic language group of the Indo-European languages)

• Currency - Lats (LVL). 1 lats consists of 100 santims.

Republic of Latvia residents have equal rights to acquire an education.

The right to acquire an education in the offical State language is guaranteed in the Republic of Latvia.

Latvian Education System from 1991

Pre- school (kindergarten)

• It is the first step of educational system.• 5-7 year old children have to participate in pre-

school programmes

Basic schools

• 9-year single structure basic education is compulsory for all children from the age of 7.

Special education• Special schools or special education classes within

general education schools provide education for children with special needs that correspond to their individual health condition.. 

Vocation oriented education

• Vocation oriented education in arts and music is voluntary and provides for a person’s individual educational needs and wishes.

Secondary schools

Secondary schools

• There are two types of secondary education programmes: general secondary and vocational secondary education and training programmes.

• Different vocational education and training programmes(4-year, 2-3 year, 2-year,1-2 year) are developed and offered for all branches of the national economy of Latvia.

Different vocational education and training programmes(4-year, 2-3 year, 2-year,1-2 year) are developed and offered for all branches of the national economy of Latvia

Higher education

• Tertiary Education (ISCED level 4-5) Universities and  other institutions of higher education mostly run both academic and professional programmes.

• The 3-4-year Bachelor’s degree is considered as a complete academic qualification. Master’s degree is awarded after the second stage of academic education and requires at least 5 years of university studies. 

• Doctoral studies last 3-4 full-time years 

• The tuition at pre-school, basic and secondary education in a state or municipality founded educational establishments is funded from the national or municipal budget

Grading system

• Educational achievements are assessed in a ten-point system:

10 with distinction, 9 excellent, 8 very good, 7 good, 6 almost good, 5 satisfactory,

4 almost satisfactory, 3 weak, 2 very weak, 1 very very weak.

Adult education

• It is provided to satisfy needs in lifelong education process to support personal development and competitiveness in the labour market regardless of person’s age and previous education. 

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