NAME: Lawal Abdulrahman Tambari

ADDMISSION NUMBER: WUFB/PGD/ED/20/042

SUBJECT: COMPARATIVE EDUCATION (EDU 719)

ASSIGNMENT QUESTION: Educational Structure of Latvia

Education in Latvia
The Latvian education system consists of pre-school education, basic education,
secondary education and higher education. General education in Latvia in total lasts
12 years consisting of compulsory 9-years basic education and 3-years secondary
education. Additionally pre-school education at age of 5-6 is compulsory in Latvia.

Basic education stage comprises general basic education (grades 1-9) and vocational
basic education. Secondary education stage comprises general secondary education,
vocational secondary education and vocational education. Higher education comprises
both academic and professional study programmes.

Main aim of education policy in Latvia is qualitative and inclusive education for
personal development, human welfare and sustainable development of the country.

Primary Education
Latvian education is compulsory and free for children between ages 5 and 18. The
first 9 years are spent primary schools that provide a basic academic education.
Secondary Education
For the final three years of their schooling, academically-minded pupils may continue
on to general secondary schools where they complete their university preparation by
sitting for their certificate of general secondary education. Those with a more practical
view on life choose vocational secondary schools instead, that culminate in
certificates of vocational education.

Vocational Education
Latvia has introduced a strategy of continuous vocational training which embraces the
concept of life-long learning in order for everybody to remain up-to-date in job-
related knowledge. It is hoped that soon half a million people will be participating in
these paid programs every year.

Tertiary Education

There are 34 state-recognized higher education institutions, including colleges that

offer programs of 2 to 3 year’s duration, and universities offering academic training
leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
The oldest of these is Riga Technical University founded in 1862 and previously
known as Riga Polytechnicum. In additional to a flourishing business school, it has
faculties of Architecture & Urban Planning, Building & Civil Engineering, Computer
Science & Information Technology, Electronics & Telecommunications, Engineering
Economics, Materials Science & Applied Chemistry, Power & Electrical Engineering,
and finally Transport & Mechanical Engineering.
Figure 1 : Source: http://www.aic.lv/portal/en/izglitiba-latvija
Education School/Level Grades Age Years Notes
Basic
Primary 1–9 7–15 9 (Basic School)
Education
Certificate/diploma
Vocational
Middle 16–18 2 awarded: (Certificate of
basic school
basic vocational education)
(General Secondary
School), Certificate/diploma
Secondary Secondary 10–12 16–19 3 awarded:(Certificate of
General Secondary
Education)
(Vocational Secondary
School)/(Vocational
Gymnasium):
Vocational
Vocational 15–19 4 Certificate/diploma
Secondary
awarded: (Diploma of
Secondary Vocational
Education)
Certificate/diploma
(Vocational
Vocational 15–18 3 awarded: (Certificate of
School)
Vocational Education)
The first cycle leads to the
award of a (Bachelor'
degree), which in most cases
includes the preparation of a
thesis. The duration of
Tertiary Undergraduate 3–4 studies varies from three to
four years. Holders are
eligible for further studies
towards a degree or higher
professional education
qualifications.
Secondary school teachers
follow either a teacher
training course parallel to
their academic studies
Teacher
Tertiary 4 towards a degree or a one-
education
to two-year professional
teacher training programme
following completion of the
degree programme.
 The second cycle leads to
the award of the (Master's
degree), a terminal
qualification of higher
education awarded one to
two years after the degree.
This degree also includes
the presentation of a thesis.
The total duration of the
Tertiary Postgraduate 1–2
course of study is no less
than five years. In Medicine
and Dentistry, studies are
not divided into two stages
but the degrees (degree in
Medicine) - six years – and
(degree in Dentistry) - five
years- are considered
equivalent to the Master.
(Doctorate): Doctoral
studies are available at both
higher education institutions
and research institutes. A
Tertiary Doctorate 3–4 Doctor's degree is awarded
three to four years after
completion of the Master
and following the public
defense of a thesis.

Conclusion

Education system of Latvia is getting more inclusive in terms of ethnic minority

children and students with special needs. School system is also successful in
contributing a more equitable distribution of learning opportunities and outcomes
References:

Academic Information Centre, 1996, State Higher Education Institutions in Latvia:

General Description of Latvian Educational System and Annotations of Study
Programmes

Jeroen H, Isak F.&, Anna (2020) 25 Years of Transformations of Higher Education

Systems in Post-Soviet Countries: Reform and Continuity

http://www.aic.lv/portal/en/izglitiba-latvija

https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/latvia_en

https://www.scholaro.com/pro/Countries/Latvia/Education-System