general education1

General Education (A1): 

General Education (A1) Ministry of Education and Science 2004

Slide2: 

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

Legislation On General Education: 

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

Main international documents on general education (1): 

Main international documents on general education (1) UNO Convention On Children’s Rights (1989) UNESCO Convention On Discrimination In Education (1978) Global Declaration “Education For All” (Jomten Declaration) (1990); Dakar guidelines (2000)

Main international documents on general education (2): 

Main international documents on general education (2) Lisbon Strategy (2000) Reports and recommendations of European Council’s Commission for Education and Culture European Council General Convention On The Protection of Ethnic Minorities (1995)

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

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

Main objectives for general education identified in international documents (2): 

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

Main objectives for general education identified in international documents (3): 

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

Developmental target for general education system: 

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

Developmental objectives for general education system : 

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

Stakeholders in the provision of general education services: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The main responsibilities of municipalities for general education (1): 

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

The main responsibilities of municipalities for general education (2): 

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

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

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.)

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

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 Children’s 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.)

State institutions providing for the functioning of general education system : 

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

Curriculum and Examination Centre (1): 

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

Curriculum and Examination Centre (2): 

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

State Education Inspectorate (1): 

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

State Education Inspectorate (2): 

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

State Youth Initiative Centre (1): 

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

State Youth Initiative Centre (2): 

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

Regional and Town Education Boards: 

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

Regional Reform (1)Model of 102 municipalities: 

Regional Reform (1) Model of 102 municipalities

Regional Reform (2)Model of 33 municipalities: 

Regional Reform (2) Model of 33 municipalities

Levels of general education (1): 

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)

Levels of general education (2): 

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)

Level of pre-school education (1): 

Level of pre-school education (1) a level of education, where comprehensive child’s development, health strengthening, preparation for the acquisition of basic education takes place (Article 1, point 18, Law On Education) encompasses child’s 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)

Level of pre-school education (2): 

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)

Level of general basic education (1): 

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 person’s 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.

Level of general basic education (2): 

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)

Level of general secondary education (1): 

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)

Level of general secondary education (2): 

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)

The structure of general education: 

The structure of general education

Classification of general education programmes: 

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”

General education institutions in the school year of 2003/04: 

General education institutions in the school year of 2003/04 Data source: LR Central Board of Statistics, 2003

A general education institution (1): 

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

A general education institution (2): 

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

Charter of a general education institution: 

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 institution’s 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

Democratic institutions in an education institution (1): 

Democratic institutions in an education institution (1) Education Institution’s 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 institution’s support funds coordinating the disposition of donations for education institution Article 12 and Article 13, Law On General Education

Democratic institutions in an education institution (2): 

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

Teaching staff of general education establishments: 

Teaching staff of general education establishments Head Teacher – Deputy Principal responsible for education issues teachers of subject areas psychologist of education special teacher teacher – speech therapist methodologist of education librarian of education institution teachers of hobby education groups

Services provided by education institutions (1): 

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

Services provided by education institutions (2): 

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

Number of general education institutions, students (children), teaching staff: 

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

Number of children (students) in education as to their ethnic origin: 

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

General special education institutions and number of children in them: 

General special education institutions and number of children in them Data source”MoES Statistics Department, 2003

Private general education institutions (1): 

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

Private general education institutions (2): 

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

Network of private general education institutions* in the school year of 2003/04: 

Network of private general education institutions* in the school year of 2003/04 * Not including private pre-school education institutions

Changes in the number of students in private education institutions: 

Changes in the number of students in private education institutions Data source: LR Central Board of Statistics, 2002

Quality assurance measures for general education (1): 

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

Quality assurance measures for general education (2): 

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 institution’s operation (accreditation of education institutions) has been introduced

Quality assurance measures for general education (3): 

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

Quality assurance measures for general education (4): 

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.)

The proportion of students under 18 involved in general education (in %) in 2002 (out of the total number of children in Latvia): 

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

Projected number of students in classes in the school year of 2007/08 if compared to the school year of 2002/03: 

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

The breakdown of students, who have completed general basic education programmes, in further education in 2002: 

The breakdown of students, who have completed general basic education programmes, in further education in 2002 Data source: LR Central Board of Statistics, 2003

Quality assessment of the curriculum for basic education: 

Quality assessment of the curriculum for basic education SKDS survey“The distribution of students’ learning load in curriculum acquisition in the opinion of students’ parents” October – November , 2002

Expenditure per one student of secondary education (talking into consideration the purchasing power): 

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

The breakdown of students, who have completed general secondary education programmes, in further education in 2002: 

The breakdown of students, who have completed general secondary education programmes, in further education in 2002 Data source: LR Central Board of Statistics, 2003

The breakdown of students in higher education specialization fields (according to ISCED`97 classification): 

The breakdown of students in higher education specialization fields (according to ISCED`97 classification) Data source: LR Central Board of Statistics, 2003

State financing for general education (1): 

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

State financing for general education (2): 

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)

Expenditure for education (in %) from GNP (1999): 

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

The share of capital expenditure in education (in %): 

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

Capital expenditure in education: 

Capital expenditure in education From Eurydice 2002 and OECD 2003