Latvia

Latvia

Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia is a country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. It is bordered to the north by Estonia, to the south by Lithuania, and to the east both by Belarus and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea to the west lies Sweden. The territory of Latvia covers 64,589 km² and is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate.

The Latvians are a Baltic people closely related to the Lithuanians, with the Latvian language sharing many similarities to Lithuanian. Today the Latvians and Lithuanians are the only surviving members of the Baltic peoples and Baltic languages of the Indo-European family. The modern name of Latvia is thought to originate from the ancient Latvian name Latvji, which may have originated from the word Latve which is a name of the river that presumably flowed through what is now eastern Latvia.

Latvia is a democratic parliamentary republic and is divided into 26 districts. The capital and largest city is Riga. Latvia has been a member of the United Nations since 17 September 1991, of the European Union since 1 May 2004 and of NATO since 29 March 2004.

Latvian education policy

Every citizen of the Republic of Latvia and every person who has the right to a non-citizen passport issued by the Republic of Latvia, every person who has received a permanent residence permit, as well as citizens of European Union memberstates who have been issued a temporary residence permit, and their children, have equal right to acquire education, regardless of their property or social status, race, nationality, gender, religious or political convictions, state of health, occupation or place of residence.

Governance of the Education System

Education system is administered at three levels - national, municipal and 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 that also issues the licenses for opening comprehensive education institutions and sets educational standards along with the teacher training content and procedures.

Latvian education system

After completion of compulsory basic education (9 years) four types of programmes are offered at general secondary education (vispārējā vidējā izglītība) (grades 10-12): a general one or others emphasizing liberal arts and social sciences; or mathematics, natural sciences and technical subjects; or vocational subjects. Latvian language and literature, first foreign language, second foreign language (minority language in minority schools), mathematics, history, physical education, basics of economics and ICT are compulsory in all programmes. Each type of programmes has its own set of compulsory and optional subjects.

School year lasts 36 weeks (except examination periods) - from the beginning of September till the end of May. The total number of study hours in 3 years of general secon¬dary education may vary from 3150 to 3780 (i.e. 30-36 per week) depending on the programme and individual choice of subjects.

To be awarded a certificate of general secondary education (atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību) candidates sit examinations in at least five subjects and pass/fail tests in up to four other subjects. Examinations are taken in: Latvian language, a compulsory subject of the particular programme, a subject chosen by school and two subjects chosen by the candidate. Leavers of 4-year vocational secondary education (profesionālā vidējā izglītība) have to pass a qualification examination and 4 centralised compulsory examinations (the same as after general secondary education) in order to receive a diploma on vocational secondary education. Centralized school-leaving examinations serve as a basis for the admission to higher education.

Higher education

Access to higher (tertiary) education (HE). All holders of general secondary education certificates and diplomas on vocational secondary education meet the general admission requirements. However, the universities are free to set specific requirements, e.g. to choose which subjects have to been taken at school level to qualify for admission to a particular programme.

Bakalaurs (bachelor) and maģistrs (master) degrees are awarded both in academic and professional HE. Both types of bachelors are eligible for studies in master programmes and both types of masters (including holders of degrees in medicine and dentistry – 6 and 5 years respectively) – in doctoral programmes.

Academic higher education follows academic education standard and is aimed at preparing graduates for research and providing theoretical background for professional activities.

Bakalaurs degree in a branch of science is awarded after the first cycle of academic studies. Bachelor programmes comprise 120 – 160 credit points (180-240 ECTS) or 4-6 semesters of full-time studies. They include: compulsory part ≥50 CP (75 ECTS), optional part ≥20 CP (30 ECTS), thesis ≥10 CP (15 ECTS) and some subjects of free choice to earn the rest of necessary CP.

Maģistrs degree in a branch of science is awarded after the second cycle of academic studies comprising 80 (120 ECTS) credits, out of those thesis results in ≥20 CP, compulsory part includes theoretical aspects of the field (≥ 30 CP) and their practical application in solving actual problems (≥15 CP).

According to Standards of first and second level professional higher education, its aim is to provide in-depth knowledge in a field, enabling graduates to design and improve systems, products and technologies as well as to prepare graduates for creative, research and teaching activities in this field.

Professional bakalaurs programmes are designed to ensure professional competence, they comprise at least 160 CP (240 ECTS), out of those: general courses (≥15 CP), theoretical courses of the field (≥36 CP), specialization courses (≥60 CP), optional courses (≥6 CP), practical placement (≥26 CP), and state examinations including thesis (≥12 CP).

Professional HE programmes leading to maģistrs degree comprise no less than 40 CP (60 ECTS), out of those: up-to-date achievements in the field – in theory and in practice (≥7 CP), practical placements (≥6 CP), state examinations including thesis (≥20 CP) as well as research training, courses of design, management, psychology etc.

Apart from the programmes leading to bakalaurs and maģistrs degrees, there are other types of professional higher education programmes.

First-level professional HE (college) programmes comprise 80-120 CP (120-180 ECTS) and lead to a CEDUC 4th level professional qualification. These programmes are targeted mainly at labour market. Yet, the graduates of the first-level programmes can continue their studies in second-level professional programmes.

Second-level professional HE programmes lead to a CEDUC 5th level professional qualification. Such programmes can comprise either at least 40 CP (60 ECTS) for holders of bakalaurs degrees or at least 160 CP (240 ECTS) for secondary school leavers. In both cases programmes should include a practical placement of at least 26 CP (39 ECTS) and graduation examinations including thesis (≥10 CP). Graduates of programmes including the 70 CP (105 ECTS) compulsory part of the bakalaurs programme, have access to master studies.

Doctoral studies. From January 1, 2000 onwards a single type of doctoral degree Doktors is being awarded in Latvia. Maģistrs degree (or the equivalent) is required for admission to doctoral studies. Doktors degree can be achieved at public defence of a doctoral thesis which may be a result of three to four years of full-time doctoral studies at a university or an equivalent amount of independent research while working at a university, research institution etc.

Latvian Council of Science appoints promotion councils and sets the procedures for awarding doctoral degrees.

Credit point system. Latvian credit point is defined as a one-week full-time study workload. An average workload of a full-time study year in most HE programmes is 40 CP. Latvian credit point system is compatible with ECTS. The number of ECTS credits is found by multiplying the number of Latvian credit points by a factor of 1.5.

Grading system. The state standards for higher education set the following ten-point marking system:

Achievement level Grade Meaning Approx. ECTS grade

very high 10 izcili (with distinction) A very high 9 teicami (excellent) A high 8 ļoti labi (very good) B high 7 labi (good) C medium 6 gandrīz labi (almost good) D medium 5 viduvēji (satisfactory) E medium 4 gandrīz viduvēji (almost satisfactory) E/FX low 3–1 negatīvs vērtējums (unsatisfactory) Fail

Quality assurance. According to Latvian legislation, state-recognized degrees/diplomas may be awarded upon completion of an accredited programme in an accredited HE institution holding a state-approved Satversme (by-law). Quality assessment includes self-evaluation report by the higher education institution and peer evaluation. Evaluation teams consist of at least three experts, with only one from Latvia. In most cases the other two experts are selected from Western Europe or from the Baltic States. Decisions on programme accreditation are taken by the Accreditation Board, while those on institutional accreditation – by the Higher Education Council. The first accreditation cycle was completed in 2001. Recurrent assessments have to take place once every six years.

State – recognized HE institutions in Latvia

Universities: •University of Latvia; •Rīga Technical University ; •Latvia University of Agriculture; •Daugavpils University; •Rīga Stradiņa University.

State higher education institutions: • Latvian Academy of Arts; • Latvia Academy of Culture; • Latvian Academy of Music; • Liepāja Pedagogical Academy, • Latvian Academy of Sports Education; • Police Academy of Latvia. • Banking Institution of Higher Education; • Latvian Maritime Academy; • Latvian National Academy of Defence; • Rēzekne Higher Education Institution; • Rīga Graduate School of Law; • Rīga Higher School of Pedagogics and School Management; • Stockholm School of Economics in Rīga; • The Ventspils College; • Vidzeme College of Higher Education.

Private higher education institutions • Baltic Russian Institute; • Business Institute RIMPAK Livonia; • School of Business Administration Turība; • Higher School of Economics and Culture; • Higher School of Psychology; • Higher School of Social Work and Social Pedagogy “Attīstība”; • Information Systems Institute; • Institute of Social Technologies; • International Institute of Practical Psychology; • Latvian Christian Academy; • Rīga Aeronautical Institute; • Rīga International School of Economics and Business Administration; • Transport and Telecommunication Institute

State colleges: • RRC College; • Rīga civil Engineering college • Jēkabpils Agribusiness college; • Latvian Culture College; • Liepāja Maritime College; • Olaine College of Mechanics and technology; • Rīga Civil Engineering College; • Rīga Technical College; • Rīga Entrepreneurship College; • Fire Protection and Civic Defence College; • State Boarder Guards’ College Private colleges: 3 • Alberta college; • College of Accounting and Finance; • Laws College; • Business and Administration College.

More information on education system http://www.izm.lv http://www.aic.lv www.eurydice.org

Tuition fee in education system

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 may set a tuition fee for providing education. In higher education programmes the state covers tuition fees for a certain number of students’ places, according to the State Procurement in the respective academic year. Each higher education institution may set a tuition fee for the rest of students’ places. All students are entitled to a state credit for their studies in any higher education programme. Foreigners or non-citizens pay for their education in accordance with the agreement concluded with the respective educational establishment. In cases when foreign citizens study in Latvia under an exchange programme and an equivalent number of Latvian students study abroad, the foreigners' studies in Latvia are financed from the budget resources of the Republic of Latvia allocated to the respective institution of higher education. The tuition fee for the citizens of European Union countries shall be determined and covered according to the same procedure as for the citizens and permanent residents of the Republic of Latvia.

Strategic guidelines for the development of education for years 2007 - 2013

Totally 57 millions Lats have been provided for the implementation of the strategic guidelines for the development of education of the Ministry of Education and Science. The following tasks are defined in the above strategic guidelines (listed in the sequence of priority):

   * To introduce and pay for the pedagogic work of a teacher’s assistant for the purpose of providing support to children (Grades 1 – 6) with learning difficulties – 7.6922 Million Lats;
     To improve the social conditions of students at vocational educational establishments by means of increasing scholarships during years 2007 – 2010 up to 20 Lats per month on average, during years 2011 – 2013 up to 40 Lats per month, the total amount for year 2007 – 4.3611 Million;
   * To develop the structure model for the distribution of study programs in compliance to the needs of agriculture and to ensure its implementation in the system of higher education (encouragement of the development of Doctor’s studies – at least 200 new places for Master studies per year, at least 100 new places for Doctor’s studies per year; the number of places for studies in the fields of natural sciences, engineering sciences, medicine and environment sciences increased by at least 300 per year. Provided increase of the scholarships fund by at least 5% per year) – 20 Million Lats.
   * To ensure continuous attraction of the state investment for the purpose of arrangement and modernisation of educational establishments – 16.952 Million Lats.
   * etc.

References

Ministry of Education and Science http://izm.izm.gov.lv/58.html