Latvia’s Education Development Guidelines 2021-2027

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Sustainable and effective management:
    • Streamline educational governance to ensure efficiency.
    • Use data-driven tools for policy evaluation and improvement.

Challenges identified

  1. Teacher shortages:
    • Lack of appeal in the teaching profession.
    • Insufficient recruitment and retention strategies.
  2. Educational inequities:
    • Urban-rural divides in resource availability and quality.
    • Uneven access to digital tools and internet connectivity.
  3. Digital transformation:
    • Significant gaps in digital skills among students and adults.
    • Need for updated digital education tools and resources.
  4. Inclusive and emotionally safe environments:
    • Insufficient focus on emotional well-being and inclusive practices in schools.
  5. Labor market mismatch:
    • Curriculum and skill development lagging behind economic demands, especially in STEM fields.

Core initiatives and reforms

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Adult education:
    • Develop flexible lifelong learning opportunities.
    • Prioritise digital skills training for older demographics.
    • Recognise informal learning and its role in upskilling.

Implementation principles

  1. Collaboration:
    • Engage multiple stakeholders (public, private, and non-profit sectors) for resource pooling and knowledge sharing.
  2. Data-driven monitoring:
    • Use advanced tools for tracking progress and evaluating policy outcomes.
    • Adjust strategies dynamically based on emerging challenges and results.
  3. Equity and inclusivity:
    • Ensure equitable access to quality education regardless of geographical location, socioeconomic background, or special needs.
  4. Environmental and economic sustainability:
    • Promote resource-efficient practices in education.
    • Integrate sustainability and climate awareness into curricula.

Impact areas

  1. Digitalization:
    • Expand digital education platforms, resources, and teacher training.
    • Bridge the digital divide with targeted support for underprivileged regions and populations.
  2. Quality assurance:
    • Establish robust monitoring systems for institutional and program quality.
    • Incorporate feedback mechanisms to drive continuous improvement.
  3. Financial sustainability:
    • Optimise state budget allocations for education.
    • Leverage EU and international funding to address priority areas.

Future vision for education by 2027

  1. Individualised learning:
    • Education is tailored to the unique needs and talents of each learner, supported by data analytics and adaptive technologies.
  2. Integrated ecosystems:
    • Schools and universities as hubs of community innovation and collaboration.
  3. Interdisciplinarity:
    • Breaking silos between disciplines, promoting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education.
  4. Sustainability and global competence:
    • Focus on skills that address global challenges, including climate change, health, and technological transformation.

Monitoring and evaluation

  1. Mid-term reviews:
    • Assess progress by 2025, allowing adjustments in strategies and initiatives.
  2. Annual budgetary evaluations:
    • Regular financial reviews to ensure alignment with national and EU funding priorities.
  3. Outcome indicators:
    • Defined metrics for gauging success, such as student achievement, teacher satisfaction, and digital skill acquisition rates.