Latvian Education Informatization System (LEIS) Strategy, Results, Perspective LEIS project laeder Jānis Bičevskis, University of Latvia,

Paris, Support from State The National Program “Informatics” has been originated according to the direction of the Cabinet of Ministers in April The fundamental goal of the Program is to form information society in Latvia. The priorities of Latvia are similar to those of EU. The Latvian Education Informatization System (LEIS) program was started in June 1997 and is defined as one of the main priorities of the National Program.

Paris, Unified and complete solution Informatization of all functions at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education:  Educational establishments  Regional schoolboards  Ministry of Education and Sciences of Latvia Functions of the program:  Education content  Training of teachers  Management Based on common infrastructure

Paris, Usage of infrastructure Students (79%) Management (7%) Teachers (14%) Infrastructure (PC, Internet)

Paris, Main results: content  All pupils are trained to use ICT starting from primary classes;  Teaching of other courses (physics, mathematics, languages etc.) using ICT has been started;  A4 pages of electronic textbooks (courses materials) including corresponding software have been elaborated. Next step: ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) is introduced as standard skill for every graduated secondary school.

Paris, Main results: management Registers of schools, courses, teachers and students have been implemented. These registers are used in schools, regional schoolboards and the ministry. Register of education documents (diploma) is being developed. Next step: Management system is developed; it must become instrument for everyday use in schools.

Paris, Main results: training of teachers More than 66% of all teachers have been trained for use of ICT (basic skills). Next step: Teachers are being trained to use ICT for teaching physics, biology, mathematics etc.

Paris, Main results: infrastructure Piltene Kalnciems Smiltene Svente Talsi Madona Aizkraukle Preiļi Daugavpils Krāslava Rēzekne Jēkabpils Kārsava Balvi Alūksne Gulbene Cēsis Ogre Valka Rūjiena Valmiera Limbaži Bauska RĪGA Jūrmala Jelgava Dobele Tukums Saldus Ventspils Ugāle Kuldīga Liepāja Salacgrīva Pupils per PC Internet dial-up % of schools 9%21%35% 97% 97% Internet on-line % of schools 16% 34% Real use of Internet as % of pupils 51% 62%

Expenditures (LVL) (1 LVL = 1,75 Euro)

Paris, ICT from point of student view Analysis of ICT usage in Latvia’s schools was done in 2001: 1. More than 90% of students (5-12 classes) have access to computers in schools; 2. More than 62% of students have access to Internet in schools; 3. 95,6% of students likes ICT and recommend to increase use of ICT in schools; 4. Students recommend to start teaching and use ICT in schools from the age of 9-11 years.

Paris, Conclusions Program LEIS will be continued without changing strategic goals: 1. Basic ICT skills according ECDL for everybody; 2. Teaching usage of ICT in every field; 3. Management of whole unified education system; 4. Development of infrastructure: more computers in schools, broadband Internet connection for every school. Integration of infrastructure of municipalities, libraries and schools must be realised in next 3 years.

Paris, Latvia has the strategy Latvia knows what must be done Latvia is on the way Latvia doesn’t have enough money