Latvia’s Education Development Guidelines 2021-2027
June 2021
Strategies and Action Plans
Author: Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia
The ‘Latvia’s Education Development Guidelines 2021-2027’ (Latvijas Izglītības attīstības pamatnostādnes 2021-2027) is a strategic policy framework established by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia. This document sets the direction for Latvia’s educational development over a six-year period, from 2021 to 2027. It is designed as a medium-term planning instrument to address challenges, leverage opportunities, and align education policies with national and international development goals.
Policy framework and vision
- Purpose: These guidelines establish a unified education strategy for Latvia, focusing on adapting to evolving societal and economic needs.
- Vision: By 2027, education in Latvia will:
- Foster lifelong learning and innovation.
- Align with technological advancements, demographic changes, and environmental sustainability.
- Empower individuals to adapt to and lead in a rapidly changing world.
Strategic goals
- High-quality pedagogical and academic staff:
- Attract and retain talented educators.
- Provide ongoing professional development for teachers and academic staff.
- Enhance the societal and financial status of teaching professions.
- Modern, inclusive, and labor-market-oriented education:
- Revamp curricula to include skills relevant to contemporary and future labour markets, including digital literacy.
- Enhance education infrastructure for accessibility and inclusivity.
- Support for individual development:
- Introduce tailored support systems for students at all levels, including early diagnostics and intervention.
- Focus on emotional safety and inclusivity in schools.
- Sustainable and effective management:
- Streamline educational governance to ensure efficiency.
- Use data-driven tools for policy evaluation and improvement.
Challenges identified
- Teacher shortages:
- Lack of appeal in the teaching profession.
- Insufficient recruitment and retention strategies.
- Educational inequities:
- Urban-rural divides in resource availability and quality.
- Uneven access to digital tools and internet connectivity.
- Digital transformation:
- Significant gaps in digital skills among students and adults.
- Need for updated digital education tools and resources.
- Inclusive and emotionally safe environments:
- Insufficient focus on emotional well-being and inclusive practices in schools.
- Labor market mismatch:
- Curriculum and skill development lagging behind economic demands, especially in STEM fields.
Core initiatives and reforms
- General education:
- Emphasise competency-based learning, moving away from traditional rote learning.
- Develop digital tools and resources to enhance interactive learning.
- Introduce flexible pathways for individual learning progression.
- Professional and vocational education:
- Establish industry-aligned centers of excellence.
- Simplify program accreditation and licensing processes.
- Foster partnerships with employers to integrate work-based learning.
- Higher education:
- Strengthen research and innovation by integrating them into curricula.
- Reform doctoral education to align with global standards.
- Promote institutional autonomy while ensuring accountability through performance-based funding.
- Adult education:
- Develop flexible lifelong learning opportunities.
- Prioritise digital skills training for older demographics.
- Recognise informal learning and its role in upskilling.
Implementation principles
- Collaboration:
- Engage multiple stakeholders (public, private, and non-profit sectors) for resource pooling and knowledge sharing.
- Data-driven monitoring:
- Use advanced tools for tracking progress and evaluating policy outcomes.
- Adjust strategies dynamically based on emerging challenges and results.
- Equity and inclusivity:
- Ensure equitable access to quality education regardless of geographical location, socioeconomic background, or special needs.
- Environmental and economic sustainability:
- Promote resource-efficient practices in education.
- Integrate sustainability and climate awareness into curricula.
Impact areas
- Digitalization:
- Expand digital education platforms, resources, and teacher training.
- Bridge the digital divide with targeted support for underprivileged regions and populations.
- Quality assurance:
- Establish robust monitoring systems for institutional and program quality.
- Incorporate feedback mechanisms to drive continuous improvement.
- Financial sustainability:
- Optimise state budget allocations for education.
- Leverage EU and international funding to address priority areas.
Future vision for education by 2027
- Individualised learning:
- Education is tailored to the unique needs and talents of each learner, supported by data analytics and adaptive technologies.
- Integrated ecosystems:
- Schools and universities as hubs of community innovation and collaboration.
- Interdisciplinarity:
- Breaking silos between disciplines, promoting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education.
- Sustainability and global competence:
- Focus on skills that address global challenges, including climate change, health, and technological transformation.
Monitoring and evaluation
- Mid-term reviews:
- Assess progress by 2025, allowing adjustments in strategies and initiatives.
- Annual budgetary evaluations:
- Regular financial reviews to ensure alignment with national and EU funding priorities.
- Outcome indicators:
- Defined metrics for gauging success, such as student achievement, teacher satisfaction, and digital skill acquisition rates.