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Education system in Latvia

Governance of the Education System Education system is administered at three levels: - national, - municipal, - institutional.

The Parliament (Saeima), the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Education and Science are the main decision-making bodies at a national level. The Ministry of Education and Science is the education policy-making institution. It also issues the licenses for opening comprehensive education institutions and sets educational standards.

Education System in Latvia It is divided into several levels and types: –Pre-school education, –Basic education, –Special needs education, –Vocation oriented education, –Secondary education, –Higher education, –Post graduate education, –Adult education.

Pre-school education It is for children aged 2-6 From 5-6 pre-school education is compulsary to everyone. Children aged 5-6 have to attend either kindergarten or any general educational establishment that provides pre-school programmes.

Basic education It is compulsory from 7-16 (18). The curriculum is determined by the national basic education standard. The Ministry of Education and Science supervises and determines the content of the final national examinations.

Basic education Pupils receive a Certificate of the basic education and a statement of records. That gives them an admission for further education and training in secondary level educational programmes. The certificate of the basic education can receive only those students who have received evaluation in all compulsory school subjects, national tests and examinations.

Special needs education It provides education for children with special needs. The education depends on 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 education There are two types of secondary education programmes: general secondary, vocational secondary education and training programmes.

General secondary education The compulsory curriculum of 3-year general secondary school is determined by the National Standard in the following profiles: - general comprehensive, - humanitarian / social, - mathematics / natural science / technical, - vocational / professional (arts, music, business, sports).

All educational programmes must contain 8 compulsory and 3-6 selected subjects according to the profile. Schools can offer some optional subjects that take no more than 10-15% of the total study time. At the end of the third year all students have to take 4 centralized national examinations, the content and procedure of which are determined by the Ministry of Education and Science and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. General secondary education

All students, who have received a positive assessment (4 – 10) in all subjects according to the chosen profile and the national examinations and a certificate of the passed centralized exams got a Certificate of the secondary education. A Certificate of the secondary education provides the right to continue education in any higher-level education programme.

If the student has not received an evaluation in one or more subjects or national examination, he/she receives a school report. A school report does not provide the right to continue education in any higher-level education programme. General secondary education

Vocational education and training programmes Different vocational education and training programmes are developed and offered for all branches of the national economy of Latvia. Majority vocational education schools in Latvia provide 4 and 3 year vocational education and training programmes. Only some programmes are designed for the basic vocational education and training purposes.

There are two kinds of higher education in Latvia: Academic higher education, Professional higher education. Higher education

Academic higher education Programmes are based upon fundamental and applied science. Passing exams and development of Bachelor’s or Master’s Paper are integral part of the academic higher education. Duration of Bachelor’s studies may be 3-4 years. Master’s degree is awared after at least 5 years studies.

Professional higher education There are two levels of professional higher education: The first level of professional higher education or college education (2-3 years). The second level of professional higher education leading to a professional Bachelor’s degree that can be followed by further 1-2 years of professional Master’s studies.

Master’s degree is required for admission to doctoral studies (Ph.D.). Doctoral studies last 3-4 full-time years. They include advanced studies of the subject in a relevant study programme and a scientific research towards doctoral thesis. The Council of Science appoints Promotion Council and sets the procedures for award of Doctor’s degrees. Postgraduate education

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. Private educational institutions set a tuition fee for providing education. In higher education programmes the state covers tuition fees for a certain number of students’ places, others have to pay. Tuition fee

Grading system Educational achievements are assessed in a ten-point system: 10 with distinction (izcili), 9 excellent (teicami), 8 very good (ļoti labi), 7 good (labi), 6 almost good (gandrīz labi), 5 satisfactory (viduvēji), 4 almost satisfactory (gandrīz viduvēji), 3 weak (vāji), 2 very weak (ļoti vāji), 1 very very weak (ļoti,ļoti vāji).

Adult education It includes all types of formal, non-formal and informal education including further and interest education, professional upgrading and in-service training. 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.

Education in Olaine

Educational institutions 2 secondary schools 5 kindergartens (1 private) Music and art school Mechanical and technological college

Olaine Secondary School No 1 with a structural unit Olaine Elementary School

Subordinated to Olaine Region Council

Students – 817 Teachers – 75 Technical staff – 34

Programmes Pre-school programme(5-6) compulsory Basic education programme (7-15) compulsory Basic education programme for minorities (7-10) Comprehensive general secondary education programme (16-19) without particularly emphasised subjects Hobby education programme

A school year usually from 1 September to 31 May 35 weeks long (grades 2-8, 10-11) 34 weeks long (grade 1) 34 weeks long + 4 weeks for exams(grade 9) 34 weeks long + 5 weeks for exams(grade 12)

Hobby education: Folk dance Vocal ensembles Newspaper The first aid ABC Book’s design Theatre Self-expression creativity Astronomy Sports (basketball, volleyball, floorball, mountain climbing)

Thank you for attention! Have a great time in Latvia!