Text consolidated by Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre) with amending laws of: 
       5 August 1999; 
       11 November 1999; 
       11 May 2000. 
If a whole or part of a section has been amended, the date of the amending law appears in square brackets at the end of the section. If a whole section, paragraph or clause has been deleted, the date of the deletion appears in square brackets beside the deleted section, paragraph or clause.

The Saeima¹ has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:

Education Law

The following terms are used in this Law:

1) academic education – studies of the theoretical basis of sciences and the result of such;

2) higher education – an educational level, post acquisition of secondary education, in science or art, or development of the individual rooted in a selected academic or professional field of science or art, or in an academic or professional study stream in preparation for scientific and professional activity;

3) interest-related education – realisation of the individual educational needs and desires of a person regardless of age and previously acquired education;

4) education – a process of systematic acquisition of knowledge and skills and development of attitudes, and result thereof. The educational process includes teaching and training activities. The result of education is comprised of the totality of the knowledge, skills and attitudes of a person;

5) education support institution – an institution established by the State, local governments and other legal or natural persons, which ensures methodological, psychological, scientific, informative and other intellectual support to educators, educatees, parents of educatees and educational institutions;

6) education document – a document which certifies to the education acquired by a person in accordance with a particular educational level, type and programme, or to partial acquisition of such programme;

7) educational institution – an institution established by the State, local governments and other legal or natural persons, its task being the implementation of educational programmes, or an undertaking (company) for which implementation of educational programmes is one of the types of activity;

8) educational level – a completed stage of education which includes organised and successively realised acquisition of education;

9) educational administration institution – a State or local government institution that performs the functions of educational administration;

10) accreditation of an educational programme – the acquiring of rights by an educational institution to issue a State-recognised educational document for the acquisition of education corresponding to a particular educational programme. In the course of accreditation the quality of implementation of the relevant educational programme shall be evaluated;

11) licensing of an educational programme – granting of rights to an educational institution to implement a particular educational programme;

12) educatee – a pupil, trainee, student or auditor who is pursuing an educational programme at an educational institution or with an educator working in private practice;

12.1) educational materials – the literature, visual and technical aids, materials and equipment necessary for the implementation of educational programmes;

13) subject of study or course syllabus – a component of an educational programme that includes the goals and objectives of the subjects of study or the course, its contents, a plan for acquiring the contents, criteria and procedures for evaluating the acquired education, as well as a list of methods and resources necessary for the implementation of the programme;

14) subject of study or course standard – a component of the State educational standard that determines the primary goals and objectives of a subject of study or course, the compulsory content of a subject of study or a course, and the forms and procedures for evaluation of educational achievement;

15) basic education – an educational level in which preparation for the secondary educational level or for professional activity takes place, where basic knowledge and skills necessary for life in society and for the individual life of a person are acquired, and where value-orientation and involvement in public life is developed;

16) self-education – education acquired outside an educational institution;

16.1) educator – a natural person who has the education and the professional qualifications specified in this Law or in other laws regulating education, and who participates in the implementation of an educational programme at an educational institution or in certified private practice;

17) adult education – a multi-dimensional educational process of persons, which, ensures the development of the individual and his or her ability to compete in the employment market, during the course of a lifetime of a person;

18) pre-school education – an educational level in which multi-dimensional development of the child as an individual, in the strengthening of health and preparation for the acquisition of primary education takes place;

19) private educational institution – an educational institution founded by a legal or natural person, with the exception of a State or local government educational institution, as well as an undertaking (company) in which the State or the local government holds a capital share, for which implementation of educational programmes is one of the types of activity;

20) professional education – practical and theoretical preparation for the practice of a particular profession, and for the acquisition and improvement of professional skill;

21) professional qualification – evaluation of educational and professional skill with respect to a particular profession, confirmed by documentary evidence;

22) professional guidance – provision of information regarding the opportunity to acquire professional and higher education in compliance with the interests and abilities of the educatees;

23) professional qualification document – a document that attests to professional qualifications and grants the right to apply for a position in a specific profession at a level in conformity with the qualifications, or to obtain a relevant certificate for employment in private practice;

24) special education – general and professional education adapted for persons with special needs and health problems, or with special needs or health problems;

25) further education – continuation of previously acquired education and professional skill improvement in conformity with the requirements of the specific profession;

26) distance education – an extramural method for acquiring education, which is characterised by specially structured educational materials, individual speed of learning, specially organised evaluation of educational achievement, as well as utilisation of various technical and electronic means of communication;

27) State education standard – a document that determines, in conformity with the level and type of education, the main goals and objectives of educational programmes, the compulsory basic content of education, basic criteria for evaluation of acquired education, and general procedures;

28) secondary education – an educational level in which multi-dimensional growth of an individual, purposeful and profound development in intentionally chosen general and professional education, or general or professional education stream, preparation for studies at the highest level of education or professional activity, and involvement in public life takes place; and

29) general education – a process of cognition of the multi-dimensionality and oneness of a human beings, nature and society, and a process of development of a humane, free and responsible individual, and the result of such.

[11 May 2000]

The purpose of this Law is to ensure that every resident of Latvia has the opportunity to develop his or her mental and physical potential, in order to become an independent and a fully developed individual, a member of the democratic State and society of Latvia. Corresponding to the age and needs of an educatee, he or she shall be ensured an opportunity to:

1) acquire knowledge and skills in the field of humanities, social, natural and technical sciences;

2) acquire knowledge, skills and experience in relationships, in order to participate in the life of the State and society; and

3) for moral, aesthetic, intellectual and physical development, by promoting the development of a knowledgeable, skilful and socialised individual.

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 from European Union States 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.

Acquisition of basic education, or continuation of acquisition of basic education until the age of 18, shall be compulsory.

[5 August 1999]

(1) The following educational levels are specified:

1) pre-school education;

2) basic education;

3) secondary education; and

4) higher education.

(2) An educatee has the right to acquire education at each subsequent level, successively proceeding from one educational level to the next.

The types of education are as follows:

1) general education;

2) professional education; and

3) academic education.

Education target groups are aggregates of persons with similar needs, interests and abilities, who wish to acquire education or for whom the acquisition of compulsory education has been determined by law. The primary education target groups are comprised of:

1) children of pre-school age;

2) children and youths of compulsory education age;

3) youths;

4) persons with special needs; and

5) adults.

(1) The following are the forms of acquisition of education:

1) full-time education;

2) extramural education; a sub-category of the extramural education method – distance education;

3) self-education; and

4) education in the family.

(2) An educational institution is entitled to implement an educational programme in the form of full-time studies, as well as extramural studies.

(3) An educatee may acquire the contents of an educational programme in the form of self-education. Evaluation of an educational programme acquired in such a manner can be obtained by taking examinations at the educational institution which implements the relevant programme.

(1) Education shall be acquired in the official language in State and local government education institutions.

(2) Education may be acquired in another language:

1) in private educational institutions;

2) in State and local government educational institutions in which educational programmes for ethnic minorities are implemented. The Ministry of Education and Science shall specify in such educational programmes the subjects of study which are to be acquired in the official language; and

3) in educational institutions specified in other laws.

(3) In order to acquire basic or secondary education, each educatee shall learn the official language and take examinations testing his or her knowledge of the official language to the extent and in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Science.

(4) Professional qualification examinations shall be taken in the official language.

(5) The work required for the acquisition of an academic (bachelor’s or master’s) or a scientific (doctor’s) degree shall be prepared and defended in the official language, except in cases provided for in other laws.

(6) Raising of qualifications and re-qualification that is funded from the State budget or local government budgets shall be carried out in the official language.

(1) The educational system shall ensure freedom of conscience. Educatees shall have the option to acquire Christian religious instruction or ethics, or Christian religious instruction and ethics concurrently.

(2) The Law on Religious Organisations shall regulate the relations between educational institutions and religious organisations.

(1) Educatees, upon the acquisition of a particular level (except for pre-school education level) and type of education shall be issued a relevant education document:: a certificate, a document attesting to the education, or a diploma.

(2) A State-recognised education document shall be issued to an educatee who has acquired education in conformity with an accredited educational programme.

(3) An educational institution may issue a document for partial acquisition of an educational programme.

(1) Expert-examination of education documents issued abroad, as well as certifying documents in regard to academic degrees conferred abroad, shall be carried out on the basis of an application by the holder of the education document or of the certifying documents in regard to the academic degrees, by the relevant educational institutions, State institutions, employers or professional organisations. The Academic Information Centre shall carry out expert-examination of education documents issued abroad, as well as of attesting documents in regard to academic degrees conferred abroad.

(2) As a result of the expert-examination of the submitted documents, it shall be determined:

1) which education document issued in Latvia, or which academic degree conferred in Latvia, is equivalent to the education document issued abroad, or to the attesting document in regard to the academic degree conferred abroad, or which education document issued in Latvia, or which academic degree conferred in Latvia, may be considered as equivalent to such; or

2) what additional conditions must be fulfilled in order that the education document issued abroad, or the certifying document in regard to the academic degree conferred abroad, may be considered as equivalent to an education document issued in Latvia or an academic degree conferred in Latvia if the education document issued or the academic degree conferred abroad does not conform to the requirements of any education document issued in Latvia or to any academic degree conferred in Latvia.

(3) As a result of the expert-examination of documents, the person submitting the application shall be given a notice in regard to which education document issued in Latvia, or which academic degree conferred in Latvia, is equivalent, or may be regarded as equivalent, to the education document issued abroad, or to the academic degree conferred abroad.

(4) A decision regarding the recognition of an education document shall be taken, on the basis of a statement issued by the Academic Information Centre, by:

1) in respect of continuation of studies – the institution of higher education in which the holder of the education document wishes to continue the studies. The institution of higher education may carry out an additional expert-examination and set additional requirements;

2) in respect of hiring employees in professions in which the professional activity, or the education required for it, is not regulated by laws or in other regulatory enactments, - the employer;

3) in respect of practising professional activity in professions in which the professional activities, or the education required for it, is regulated by laws, as well as in other regulatory enactments - the institutions specified in such laws and other regulatory enactments; and

4) in respect of continuation of basic or secondary educational level – the Ministry of Education and Science.

(5) The Academic Information Centre is an institution established by the Ministry of Education and Science, which carries out expert-examination of education documents issued abroad and documents attesting to academic degrees conferred abroad, and other functions related to recognition of education certificates and international information exchange.

[11 May 2000]

(1) Fees for the acquisition of pre-school, basic and secondary education at an institution established by the State or local governments shall be covered from the State budget or local government budgets in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Cabinet. A private educational institution may determine the fees for the acquisition of education.

(2) For programmes of higher education, the State shall cover the fees for the acquisition of education for a specified number of student positions in accordance with the State procurement specified for the relevant year; for other student positions each institution of higher education may determine the fees for the acquisition of education.

(3) A student may receive State credit for studies in higher educational programmes. The obtained credit shall be paid back or extinguished in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Cabinet.

(4) An alien or a stateless person shall pay for the acquisition of education in accordance with a contract concluded with the relevant educational institution.

(5) For citizens of European Union States and their children who acquire education in Latvia, the fees for education shall be determined and covered in accordance with the same procedures as for citizens and permanent residents of the Republic of Latvia.

(1) Co-operation of the Republic of Latvia with other states and international organisations in the field of education shall be determined by international agreements.

(2) An educational institution is entitled to co-operate with foreign educational institutions and international organisations.

The Cabinet shall:

1) specify the forms for State-recognised education documents, the criteria and procedures for the issuance of education documents;

2) specify the procedures by which education documents issued abroad shall be considered to be equivalent to education documents issued in the Republic of Latvia;

3) specify the procedures by which the State and local governments may finance private pre-school, basic, secondary and higher education institutions;

4) specify the procedures for the receipt, repayment and extinguishment of credit, and the amount of credit, for studies in higher educational programmes and professional secondary educational programmes implemented by educational institutions;

5) specify procedures for registration of children who have reached compulsory school age;

6) confirm by-laws of colleges (except colleges of institutions of higher education) and constitutions of institutions of higher education (except universities);

7) establish, reorganise and dissolve State educational institutions and State educational support institutions upon the proposal of the Minister for Education and Science, or other Ministers;

8) specify procedures for the registration and accreditation of educational institutions;

9) specify procedures for the performance evaluation of heads of basic or secondary educational institutions founded by the State or local governments;

10) regulate the rules and procedures for the accreditation of institutions of higher education institutions;

11) specify procedures for the licensing and accreditation of educational programmes

12) confirm the list of pedagogical professions and positions;

13) confirm, in accordance with pedagogical professions, the requirements for required education and professional qualifications of educators;

14) specify and co-ordinate procedures for the acquisition of education and improvement of professional qualifications of educators;

15) specify procedures by which the State organises and finances the publication and acquisition of teaching materials;

16) specify procedures for the payment of work remuneration and the amount of remuneration for educators;

17) specify procedures for the financing of special educational institutions and special education classes of general educational institutions;

18) once every four years draw up, and submit to the Saeima for approval, an educational development programme for the following four years;

19) set State standards in education;

20) specify minimum costs for the implementation of educational programmes per one educatee;

21) specify procedures by which prophylactic health care and emergency medical assistance shall be ensured for educatees at educational institutions;

22) determine the amount of workload for educators;

23) specify procedures for the receipt of scholarships and the minimum amount of scholarships for the students of higher educational programmes and professional secondary educational programmes implemented by the State and local government educational institutions; and

24) specify procedures for the financing of interest related educational programmes

[11 May 2000]

The Ministry of Education and Science shall:

1) implement a unified State policy and development strategy in education;

2) draw up draft regulatory enactments in education;

3) develop and update the Educational Institution Registers, Educational Programme Registers and Educator Registers;

4) license educational programmes;

5) carry out accreditation of educational programmes and educational institutions in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Cabinet;

6) organise educational and professional skill improvement work for educators; co-ordinate the research and methodology work;

7) set State standards for education;

8) draw up proposals and submit, pursuant to specified procedures, a request for the allocation of State budget resources for education, science, sports and youth matters;

9) control lawful utilisation of State budget resources provided for education at the educational institutions under supervision of such;

10) co-ordinate the co-operation in education of the State educational institutions with foreign countries and international organisations;

11) develop syllabi models for subjects of study or courses (except higher educational programmes) in conformity with the requirements of the State education standards;

12) prepare model by-laws for educational institutions and educational support institutions;

13) organise State procurement for preparation and publication of teaching materials in conformity with basic educational programmes;

14) specify and co-ordinate the procedures for the acquisition of education and professional improvement for educators;

15) organise evaluation of professional qualifications of educators and heads of educational institutions (except for institutions of higher education;

16) specify procedures in regard to State examinations for accredited educational programmes;

17) organise preparation of textbook content in conformity with the requirements of education standards;

18) monitor the results of the educational process of State-financed educational institutions; prepare and implement measures for the improvement of the quality of the educational process;

19) maintain and supervise State education support institutions;

20) [11 May 2000]

21) prepare model educational programmes in conformity with the requirements of State education standards;

22) approve the classification of Educational Institution Registers, Educational Programmes Registers and Educator Registers;

23) submit proposals to the Cabinet regarding the foundation, reorganisation and dissolution of State educational institutions and education support institutions, co-ordinating such with the relevant local governments;

24) approve the by-laws of State educational institutions and education support institutions;

25) hire and dismiss heads of educational institutions (except institutions of higher education) under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science; and

26) make proposals for the dismissal of heads of local government educational institutions and co-ordinate the hiring or dismissal of heads of local government educational institutions.

[11 May 2000]

Ministries of other sectors shall:

1) submit proposals to the Cabinet, regarding the foundation, reorganisation or dissolution of State educational institutions, co-ordinating with the Ministry of Science and Education;

2) prepare the educational content of professional subjects of study and the standards for professional subjects of study, and control observance of such in the educational institutions under their supervision;

3) [11 May 2000]

4) ensure the activity of the educational institutions under their supervision, as well as organise and finance publication and acquisition of teaching materials in conformity with the standards for professional subjects of study;

5) control the financial and economic activity of the educational institutions under their supervision; and

6) determine the procedures in regard to State examinations for accredited educational programmes, co-ordinating such with the Ministry of Education and Science.

[11 May 2000]

(1) Each local government has an obligation to ensure that the children residing in their administrative territory have the opportunity to acquire pre-school education and basic education at an educational institution closest to the place of residence of the child; to ensure that youths have the opportunity to acquire secondary education, as well as ensure the opportunity to realise interest related education and to support extracurricular activities, including children’s camps.

(2) In order to ensure that the children residing in their administrative territory have the opportunity to attend an educational institution of their free choice, local governments shall enter into agreements in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Cabinet, and participate in the financing of maintenance expenditures of educational institutions of such local governments in whose supervised educational institutions the children who reside in their administrative territory are being educated.

(3) District local governments shall:

1) establish, reorganise and dissolve boarding schools, special educational institutions and classes for children with special needs, professional educational institutions and interest related educational institutions, except State and private educational institutions, co-ordinating with the Ministry of Education and Science. Educational institutions founded by district local governments shall be under their supervision;

2) hire and dismiss heads of educational institutions under their supervision, co-ordinating with the Ministry of Education and Science;

3) maintain the educational institutions under their supervision at not less than the amount specified by the Cabinet, and control the utilisation of financial resources;

4) ensure the transfer of the State budget resources allocated for salaries of educators of the educational institutions and educational support institutions under their supervision to the accounts of the educational institutions;

5) ensure food service in special educational institutions and boarding schools in accordance with the procedures and in the amounts prescribed by the Cabinet;

6) ensure prophylactic health care and emergency medical assistance for the educatees of the educational institutions under their supervision in accordance with the procedures and in the amounts prescribed by the Cabinet;

7) ensure professional guidance for children and youths;

8) organise adult education;

9) provide organisational assistance to the educational institutions in their administrative territory by the provision of educational and methodological literature and other teaching materials;

10) organise professional skill improvement of educators, co-ordinate and ensure methodological work;

11) co-ordinate registration of children who have reached compulsory school age in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Cabinet;

12) develop and maintain an educational information database;

13) specify the number of positions in institutions of higher education which are funded from the local government budget resources; and

14) co-ordinate the protection of child rights in the field of education.

(4) Local governments shall:

1) co-ordinating with the Ministry of Education and Science, establish, reorganise and dissolve pre-school educational institutions, primary schools, elementary schools and secondary schools;

2) ensure places in educational institutions for the acquisition of pre-school, general basic education and secondary education for the children residing in their administrative territory, who have reached compulsory school age;

3) hire and dismiss heads of educational institutions under their supervision, co-ordinating with the Ministry of Education and Science;

4) specify procedures by which the educational institutions under their supervision shall be financed from the relevant local government budget; participate in the financing of State, other local government and private educational institutions; and distribute and allocate local government budget resources to educational institutions, and control rational utilisation thereof;

5) maintain the pre-schools, primary schools, elementary schools and secondary schools and other educational institutions under their supervision, taking into account that the financial support provided to such may not be less than the financial support specified by the Cabinet;

6) ensure the transfer of State budget resources allocated for the salaries of educators of the educational institutions under their supervision, and special purpose grants and subsidies from the State budget to the accounts of the educational institutions;

7) ensure the financing of work remuneration of the general (technical) employees of the educational institutions under their supervision;

8) ensure prophylactic health care and emergency medical assistance for the educatees in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet, and determine such educatees for whom the cost of meals shall be covered by the local government;

9) ensure transport for educatees to commute to school and back to their place of residence if it is not possible to use public transport;

10) ensure protection of the rights of children in the field of education;

11) provide consultative assistance to families in regard to the upbringing of children;

12) encourage interest-related education and professional guidance of youths; issue licences for implementation of interest related educational programmes;

13) carry out, registration of the children who have reached the compulsory school age in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Cabinet; and

14) specify the amount of benefits and other kinds of material support, and procedures for granting such to the educatees in the educational institutions under their supervision.

(5) Republic city local governments shall fulfil the functions determined for local governments in Paragraphs three and four of this Section.

[11 May 2000]

(1) A local government educational administration shall be established by the district or Republic city local government, in order to exercise its competence in education.

(2) The head of a local government educational administration shall be appointed to office by the relevant local government, co-ordinating it with the Ministry of Education and Science. The head of a local government educational administration must have experience obtained in educational or in educational administration work.

(3) The local government educational administration shall be financed by the budget of the relevant local government.

(4) The local government educational administration shall act in accordance with by-laws approved by the Cabinet.

(1) An education support institution is an institution established by the State, local governments, as well as other legal or natural persons, the purpose of which is to provide methodological, scientific, informative and other type of intellectual support to educatees, educators, parents of educatees, and educational institutions.

(2) Educational support may also be provided by such legal persons, as the by-laws (articles of association) of which include provision of educational support as one of the types of activity.

(1) Compliance of educational institutions with this Law, the General Education Law, Professional Education Law, Higher Education Law and other regulatory enactments related to education shall be controlled by the State Education Inspection.

(2) The State Education Inspection is an institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science. Its functions shall be prescribed by the by-laws approved by the Cabinet.

(3) The State Education Inspection shall:

1) control compliance of the educational process with this Law, other laws and regulatory enactments regulating education, at any educational institution regardless of the founder of such;

2) analyse the activities of educational institutions, draw up proposals for amendments of regulatory enactments and for improving the work of educational institutions;

3) in cases when violation of laws or other regulatory enactments has been determined, make proposals to the employer to impose disciplinary sanctions for the head of an educational institution or the educator, or terminate the employment contract entered into with him or her;

4) impose administrative sanctions in accordance with the procedures and in the cases prescribed by law; and

5) in cases when the health or life of the educatees is in danger, as well as for other violations of the law, temporarily suspend, while the founder of the educational institution has not examined the relevant matter and taken a decision, the orders of officials and relieve the officials from performing duties.

(1) The public shall participate in the organisation and development of education by popularising all forms of education, educating and promoting improvement in the quality of education, creating educational programmes, protecting the rights and interests of educatees and educators during the acquisition of education and work process, developing educational institutions and education support institutions and public organisations.

(2) State and local government education administration institutions shall ensure the information, consultations and methodological assistance necessary for the performance of tasks referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.

(3) The State and local governments may delegate, in accordance with procedures prescribed by law, certain functions of educational administration and educational support specified for such to public organisations, ensuring relevant financing.

(1) State, local government and private educational institutions, except undertakings (companies) and institutions of higher education, shall act on the basis of this Law, other laws and regulatory enactments, as well as the by-laws of the relevant institution which are approved by the founder of the institution.

(2) The State, local government and private undertakings (companies), except institutions of higher education, shall carry out educational activity on the basis of this Law, other laws and regulatory enactments, as well as by-laws regarding educational activity approved by founders of such.

(3) Institutions of higher education shall act on the basis of this Law, the Law on Institutions of Higher Education, other laws and regulatory enactments, as well as the constitution of the relevant institution of higher education. The Saeima shall approve the constitutions of universities. The Cabinet shall approve constitutions of other institutions of higher education.

(1) State educational institutions shall be established, reorganised and dissolved by the Cabinet pursuant to proposal by the Minister for Education and Science or the Minister for another sector.

(2) State educational institutions shall be established, reorganised and dissolved by local governments, co-ordinating with the Ministry of Education and Science or with the Ministry of another sector.

(3) Private educational institutions shall be established, reorganised and dissolved by legal persons and natural persons. The State and local governments may participate in the foundation of the private undertakings (companies).

(4) A foreign legal person may establish, reorganise and dissolve an educational institution in accordance with this Law and other laws, as well as with international agreements.

(1) Each educational institution shall submit, within a month from the founding day of such, an application regarding the registration of the educational institution in the Educational Institution Register. The Ministry of Education and Science shall maintain the Educational Institution Register.

(2) The founder of the institution shall ensure the registration of an educational institution. A person authorised by the founder shall submit an application regarding the registration of an educational institution, and it shall include the following information:

1) name of the educational institution, and legal address of such;

2) founder of the educational institution, and legal status of such;

3) decision on the founding of the educational institution;

4) area of the educational institution premises, and the technical equipment; and

5) sources of and procedures for financing.

(3) The by-laws (constitution) for the operation of the educational institution which have been approved by the founder of the educational institution shall be appended to the registration application of the educational institution.

(4) Within a month from the date of submission of the documents referred to in Paragraphs two and three of this Section, the educational institution shall be entered in the Educational Institution Register and shall be issued a certificate of registration.

(5) Notification of a decision in regard to the reorganisation or dissolution of an educational institution shall be provided to the Educational Institution Register within 10 days.

(6) Any person shall have access to the information included in the Educational Institution Register.

[11 May 2000]

(1) An educational institution shall start its activities from the registration day of such.

(2) An educational institution which implements an educational programme to be licensed as prescribed by this Law, is entitled to enrol educatees only after the receipt of a relevant licence for the implementation of the educational programme. This provision does not apply to such interest related educational programmes which are implemented by State and local government educational institutions.

[11 May 2000]

(1) The name of an educational institution and of a unit of an educational institution shall comply with the names of educational levels and types determined by this Law.

(2) An educational institution has the right, in accordance with the historic traditions of such and with the permission of the Minister for Education and Science, to use another name that does not contravene this Law, other laws and regulatory enactments.

Educational institutions, except those which implement only interest related educational programmes, shall be accredited in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Cabinet. Accreditation shall be carried out within five years from the day of start up of activity by the educational institution.

[11 May 2000]

Educational institutions shall have independence in the development and implementation of educational programmes, selection of employees, financial, economic and other activities in accordance with this Law, other laws and regulatory enactments and the by-laws or constitution of educational institution.

The founder of an educational institution shall provide the necessary financial and material resources for continuous operation of the educational institution, observing the Cabinet Regulations regarding financial and material support of educational institutions.

(1) The head of an educational institution shall be responsible for the operation of the educational institution and results thereof, for compliance with this Law and other regulatory enactments that regulate the operation of educational institutions, as well as for rational use of intellectual, financial and material resources.

(2) The head of an educational institution shall decide independently, within the scope of his or her authority, on the utilisation of the intellectual, financial and material resources of the educational institution, and shall specify remuneration for the employees of the educational institution which shall not be lower than the work remuneration specified by the Cabinet.

(3) It is an obligation of the head of an educational institution to ensure the creation of a self-governing body for the educational institution if the educatees, educators or the parents of the educatees propose it.

(4) Only a person who has the relevant education and the necessary professional qualifications is entitled to work as the head of an educational institution. The head of a State or local government basic or secondary educational institution shall be professionally evaluated in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Cabinet.

(1) A self-governing body of an educational institution shall be created as a collegial institution which shall act in accordance with the by laws of a self-governing body.

(2) The self-governing body of a primary or a secondary educational institution shall consist of representatives delegated by the founder of the institution, by the educatees and parents of such, and by employees of the institution.

(3) The self-governing body of a primary or a secondary educational institution shall:

1) draw up proposals for development of the educational institution;

2) ensure co-operation of the educational institution with the parents of the educatees; and

3) submit proposals to the head of the educational institution regarding the organisation of work, distribution of the budget and implementation of educational programmes.

(4) The Law on Higher Education and other laws shall determine the activity of self-governing bodies of institutions of higher education.

(1) The State education standard is a document that, in conformity with the educational level, the type of education and the target group, determines:

1) strategic goals and the principal tasks of educational programmes;

2) the compulsory education content; and

3) basic principles and procedures for the evaluation of education acquired by an educatee.

(2) Observance of the State education standard is compulsory for each legal person and natural person who develops and implements the relevant educational programme.

(1) An educational programme is a document regulating the educational activity of an educational institution, by which , in accordance with the educational level, the type of education, the target group and the State education standard, the following shall be determined:

1) goals, tasks and planned results of the educational programme;

2) requirements for previously acquired education of the educatees;

3) educational content as a unified aggregate of subjects of study or course contents;

4) plan for the implementation of an educational programme;

5) assessment of the personnel, funds and material resources necessary for the implementation of an educational programme in accordance with the Cabinet Regulations regarding the minimum costs for the implementation of educational programmes per one educatee.

(2) Educational programmes shall be developed by educational institutions in accordance with the State education standards and norms, co-ordinating such with the founder of the institution.

(3) Each educational programme shall be accredited in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Cabinet within two years from the day of the commencement of implementation of such, and not less frequently than once in six years.

[11 May 2000]

(1) The subjects of study or course syllabi may be developed or selected by the educators implementing such syllabi in accordance with the educational programme.

(2) The head of the educational institution shall approve a subject of study or course syllabi.

(1) The basic criteria and procedures for the evaluation of acquired education shall be set in the State education standards.

(2) Acquisition of education in conformity with accredited educational programmes at an educational institution shall conclude with State examinations.

(3) The procedures for conferring professional qualifications shall be determined by the Professional Education Law.

(4) Evaluation of the acquired academic education shall take place in accordance with the Higher Education Law.

(1) Educational programmes shall be implemented at an educational institution, public organisation, craftsperson workshop or studio. Implementation of an educational programme shall be commenced within one year from the day of receipt of the licence.

(2) An educational institution is entitled to implement several educational programmes.

[11 May 2000]

(1) The implementation term shall be specified for educational programmes.

(2) The educational work units of time shall be the study or scholastic year, semester, study week, study day and study lesson (academic hour).

Section 38. Types of Educational Programmes

(1) The following are the types of educational programmes:

1) general educational programmes;

2) professional educational programmes;

3) academic educational programmes;

4) further education programmes; and

5) interest related educational programmes.

(2) The following are specific types of educational programmes:

1) educational programmes for ethnic minorities;

2) special education programmes;

3) social correction educational programmes; and

4) adult educational programmes.

(3) A detailed classification of educational programmes shall be specified by the Classifier of Educational Programmes confirmed by the Ministry of Education and Science.

(1) Data regarding all licensed and accredited educational programmes shall be recorded, within one month after the receipt of the licence or accreditation of the programme, in the Educational Programmes Register.

(2) The Educational Programmes Register shall be accessible to any person. A list of licensed and accredited educational programmes shall be published once a year not later than 1 March.

(1) General educational programmes shall ensure the overall development of mental and physical capabilities of educatees, and prepare them for continuing education and for life in society.

(2) The General Education Law shall prescribe the procedures for the implementation of general educational programmes. For implementation of general educational programmes and particular types of programmes a relevant licence shall be obtained

[11 May 2000]

(1) Educational programmes for ethnic minorities shall be developed by educational institutions in accordance with State educational standards on the basis of general educational programme models approved by the Ministry of Education and Science.

(2) Educational programmes for ethnic minorities shall include content necessary for acquisition of the relevant ethnic culture and for integration of ethnic minorities in Latvia.

(3) The Ministry of Education and Science shall specify the subjects of study in the educational programmes for minorities which must be acquired in the official language.

(1) Persons with special needs may acquire special education at an educational institution, if it ensures that an educatee has the opportunity to acquire an education corresponding to the state of health and the type of developmental disorders.

(2) Special educational programmes shall be implemented, taking into account the state of health of the educatee.

(3) The General Education Law, Professional Education Law and other laws shall determine procedures for the implementation of special educational programmes.

(1) Social correction educational programmes are pursued by persons with socially deviant behaviour.

(2) Social correction educational programmes shall be implemented in social correction educational institutions or in social correction classes in general educational institutions.

(1) Professional educational programmes shall ensure the development of the mental and physical capacities of educatees and practical and theoretical preparation for professional practice in a particular profession and for life in society.

(2) The Professional Education Law and the Higher Education Law shall determine procedures for the implementation of professional educational programmes. A relevant licence shall be obtained for the implementation of a professional educational programme. [11 May 2000]

(1) Academic education or university programmes shall be implemented by institutions of higher education.

(2) Procedures for the implementation of academic educational programmes shall be determined by the Higher Education Law. A relevant licence shall be obtained for the implementation of an academic educational programme.

[11 May 2000]

(1) Adult educational programmes shall specify the content of such education and conformity thereof with the interests of the State and of the employers, as well as of individual development, and adults have the right to acquire such programmes throughout the length of their whole life regardless of previously acquired education.

(2) Formal and informal educational programmes may be offered for each type of adult education.

(3) The content of adult educational programmes, procedures for preparation and approval of such, standards of adult education, financing and other issues shall be regulated by the Adult Education Law and other laws.

(1) Interest related education shall be voluntary, and education corresponding to a particular educational level shall not be required for commencement of such.

(2) Educational institutions established by the State or local governments are entitled to implement interest related educational programmes without a receipt of a licence.

(3) After the receipt of a relevant licence from the local government, other legal persons and natural persons shall also be entitled to implement interest related educational programmes.

(4) [11 May 2000]

[11 May 2000]

(1) A person who has pedagogical education, or who is acquiring pedagogical education which complies with the professional qualification requirements set by the Cabinet has the right to work as an educator.

(2) A certificate shall be obtained at the Ministry of Education and Science for commencement of a pedagogical private practice.

(3) All educators working at educational institutions and private practices are registered in the Educator Register.

[11 May 2000]

(1) The education necessary for working as an educator shall be acquired at educational institutions which implement relevant accredited professional and academic educational programmes.

(2) Professional qualifications of an educator shall be attested by a diploma of higher pedagogical education, or by a relevant certificate.

(3) Improvement of professional qualifications of an educator shall be achieved in the form of self-education and in institutions that implement relevant further education programmes.

(4) [11 May 2000]

[11 May 2000]

The following persons may not work as educators:

1) a person who has been punished for an intentional crime and has not been rehabilitated;

2) a person whose capacity to act is limited in accordance with procedures prescribed in regulatory enactments;

3) in educational institutions established by the State or local governments – a person who does not have a document issued in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Cabinet that attests to command of the official language at the highest level, except for academic personnel of institutions of higher education – citizens of other states and stateless persons who are participating in the implementation of particular educational programmes on the basis of an international agreement, as well as educators working at educational institutions or branches thereof founded by foreign states; and

4) a person who has been deprived, by a court decision, of parental authority.

[11 May 2000]

(1) The general responsibilities of educators are the following:

1) to participate creatively and responsibly in the implementation of the relevant educational programmes;

2) to raise upright and honourable people, patriots of Latvia;

3) to constantly improve their education and professional skill;

4) to conform with the norms of pedagogical professional ethics;

5) to ensure that educatees have the opportunity to exercise their rights at an educational institution;

6) to observe the rights of a child; and

7) to implement an educational programme in co-operation with the family of the educatee.

(2) Educators of educational institutions shall be responsible for their work, methods, techniques and results of such.

[11 May 2000]

Educators have the following rights:

1) to participate in the self-governance of an educational institution;

2) to receive a State- guaranteed annual paid vacation of eight weeks;

3) on the basis of a contract for development of teaching materials, to receive a paid leave of absence for creative work for up to three months, or an unpaid leave of absence for up to six months, in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Cabinet.

4) to spend 30 calendar days in a three year period for his or her professional skill improvement; retaining the basic salary at the educational institution in which the educator has principal employment, and

5) to receive the material resources necessary for pedagogical work.

[11 May 2000]

(1) Work remuneration of educators shall be determined according to the professional qualifications, length of service and workload of the educator.

(2) The minimum work remuneration for one full-time workload for the educator with the lowest professional qualifications may not be less than two minimum monthly salaries.

[11 November 1999]

The educatees have the following obligations:

1) to acquire basic education;

2) to observe the by-laws or the constitution and the internal procedure regulations of the educational institution; and

3) to behave with respect towards the State and to society.

Educatees have the following rights:

1) to acquire pre-school, basic education and secondary education paid by the State or local governments;

2) to freely express and defend their views and opinions during the educational and training process;

3) to use the premises, libraries and other information archives, reading-halls and teaching materials of educational institutions;

4) to receive scholarships, credits, benefits and other type of material assistance;

5) to receive at the educational institution prophylactic health and dental care and emergency medical assistance paid by the State and local governments;

6) to make proposals to create a self-governing body at an educational institution and to participate in the work of such pursuant to the by-laws or constitution of such institution and to the by-laws of the self-self governing body;

7) to participate in public activities;

8) to receive information regarding all issues connected with education; and

9) to have security for personal belongings at an educational institution.

[11 May 2000]

(1) Orphaned children and children left without parental care have the right to acquire education at any State or local government institution.

(2) Orphaned children and children left without parental care shall be educated in the official language.

(3) Orphans and children left without parental care who are minors and are members of the same family shall be educated at the same general education institution and shall not be separated, except in cases when one of them is placed in a special educational institution, class or a social correction educational institution or class.

Parents of children (persons who exercise parental authority) have the following rights:

1) to choose the pre-school and basic educational institution in which the child will acquire education, taking account of the child’s wishes;

2) to make proposals for the creation of a self-governing body at an educational institution and to participate in work of such pursuant to the by-laws or constitution of such an institution and to the by-laws of the self-governing body;

3) to enter into a contract with an educational institution regarding the education of and care for the child at an educational institution;

4) to receive information regarding issues related to the education of the child;

5) to make proposals to the Education State Inspector to carry out inspections at an educational institution;

6) to make proposals to change an educator if he or she does not fulfil the general responsibilities of educators prescribed by this Law; and

7) to exercise the right to ensure the education of the child prescribed in other regulatory enactments.

(1) Parents (persons who exercise parental authority) of children have the following obligations:

1) within the scope of their abilities and financial possibilities, to ensure the necessary circumstances in the family for the education, health, development and daily life of the child;

2) to co-operate with the educational institution in which the child acquires education, and with the educators of the child; and

3) to observe the rights of the child.

(2) The parents (persons who exercise parental authority) of the child shall be responsible for the child acquiring compulsory education.

(1) State educational institutions shall be financed from the State budget in accordance with the annual State Budget Law. Local government educational institutions shall be financed from local government budgets. The State shall participate in the financing of educational institutions in cases specified in this Law.

(2) Private educational institutions shall be financed by the founders of such. The State and local governments shall participate in the financing of private educational institutions in accordance with the Cabinet regulations regarding minimum costs for the implementation of educational programmes per one educatee if such educational institutions implement accredited basic education and general secondary educational programmes in the official language.

(3) Special education institutions, as well as special education classes and groups in general education institutions shall be financed from the State budget in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Cabinet.

(4) Educational institutions may receive supplementary financial resources:

1) in the form of donations and gifts;

2) by providing paid services in the cases provided for in the by-laws or the constitution of the institution; and

3) from other income.

(5) Education support institutions shall be financed by the founders of such.

[11 November 1999;11 May 2000]

(1) Founders of educational institutions shall ensure the financing of such institutions, taking into account:

1) minimum costs for the implementation of educational programmes per one educatee, specified by the Cabinet;

2) maintenance and economic expenditures of educational institutions, including salaries of the general service personnel, as well as expenditures related to international co-operation; and

3) maintenance expenditures for educatees at the educational institution.

(2) In certain administrative territories the Cabinet may specify different costs for the implementation of educational programmes per one educatee.

(3) Costs of educational programmes to be implemented in educational institutions shall include expenditures that are necessary for the payment of work remuneration to the educators involved in the implementation of an educational programme, for the provision of teaching materials to the educational institutions, for economic expenditures of such, as well as for other necessary expenditures. Work remuneration of educators in State or local government institutions, except local government pre-school educational institutions, shall be provided from the State budget resources and from special purpose grants of the State budget. Work remuneration of educators of pre-school educational institutions shall be provided from local government budgets. Preparation and publication of teaching materials in conformity with the State standards shall be financed within the amount of the funds granted by the annual State budget.

(4) If an educational institution implements several educational programmes, financial resources shall be planned for each educational programme in accordance with implementation costs of such. Several educational programmes may be implemented at one educational institution, and such may be financed from various sources – from the resources of the State, local governments, as well as legal and natural persons.

(5) Allocations from the State budget and local government budgets for the activities of educational institutions shall be planned in accordance with the draft estimates (budgetary requests) submitted by educational institutions. State educational administration institutions and the relevant local governments (with respect to local government budget allocations) shall approve the cost estimates of an educational institution after approval of the State budget and local government budgets. In specifying State budget and local government allocations, the rate of inflation in the previous budgetary year shall be taken into account.

(6) Income gained as a result of economic activity of educational institutions, and the services provided by such, as well as other types of their own income, shall not affect the amount of State budget and local government annual budget allocations.

(7) The financial resources referred to in Section 59, Paragraph four of this Law shall be paid into a special budget account of the relevant educational institution and shall only be used for the following purposes:

1) development of the educational institution;

2) purchase of teaching materials;

3) purchase of equipment for the institution; and

4) material incentives for educators and educatees.

[5 August 1999; 11 May 2000]

For the support of the educational system, the Educational Innovation Fund shall be established, which shall consist of the State budget resources in the amount specified by the annual State budget, contributions of legal or natural persons of Latvia and foreign states, gifts, donations and other resources. The activities of the Educational Innovation Fund shall be regulated by a special law.

(1) Material resources of educational institutions and education support institutions are the immovable and movable property owned, administrated or used by such institutions. If a State educational institution, except State institutions of higher education, is located on immovable property owned by the State, such property shall be registered in the Land Register in the name of the State, represented by the Ministry of Education and Science. The State property transferred to the administration of the State institutions of higher education shall be registered in the name of the State, represented by the relevant institution of higher education.

(2) The property of educational institutions shall be formed in accordance with the requirements of the educational programmes and utilised for the implementation of educational programmes and maintenance of educational institutions.

(3) Material resources of educational institutions and educational support institutions shall be formed and developed, utilising resources allocated by the founders of such institutions and supplementary financial sources.

(4) Buildings, parts thereof and land managed or used by the State and local government educational institutions, shall be utilised for the realisation of the educational process and for other purposes referred to in this Law. Transfer of buildings, parts thereof or land managed or used by educational institutions to third parties shall be allowed if it does not endanger the health, life or safety of the educatees, if it is not in conflict with moral and ethical norms, and does not interfere with the educational process, as well as with the performance of other activities provided for by this Law. Transfer of buildings, parts thereof or land to third parties shall be permitted by entering into a written contract that shall be registered with the Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of another sector, or with the relevant local government.

(5) A contract which an educational institution has entered into with a legal or a natural person in regard to the use of the land, buildings or separate parts thereof that have been transferred to the management or use of educational institutions shall include a provision which provides that the educational institution may terminate the contract, giving notice to the user regarding such one month in advance, if the used object is necessary for the educational institution in order to carry out the educational process or other activities provided for by this Law, or if such use endangers the health, life or safety of the educatees, or if it is in conflict with moral and ethical norms.

1. This Law shall come into force on 1 June 1999.

2. With the coming into force of this Law, the Education Law of the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1991, No. 31./32; Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1995, No. 18; 1997, No. 3) is repealed.

3. Until 1 September 1999, the Minister for Education and Science shall ensure the drawing up of regulatory enactments related to this Law and submit such to the Cabinet for approval.

4. Full implementation of the provisions of Section 53, Paragraph two of this Law shall be ensured progressively until 1 January 2002. The Cabinet shall draw up, by 1 March 2000, a work remuneration increase schedule for educators and specify exact terms for implementation of such, as well as approve the plan of reform measures for the educational system, the purpose of which is to ensure increased effectiveness of the financing of the educational system.

5. Section 48, Paragraph one of this Law shall come into force:

1) on 1 September 2001 – with respect to the education of such educators who implement general educational programmes; and

2) on 1 September 2002 – with respect to the education of such educators who implement other educational programmes.

Until the coming into force of this provision, the requirements for the education of the educators implementing educational programmes shall be set by the Ministry of Education and Science.

6. State and local government educational institutions which have commenced the implementation of educational programmes in compliance with the type and speciality of the educational institution until the day of the coming into force of this Law, may continue the implementation of such programmes, by obtaining a licence for the implementation of the relevant educational programme within three years.

7. A private educational institution that has obtained a licence for the opening of the educational institution until the day of the coming into force of this Law, is entitled to continue the implementation of the relevant educational programme until the expiration term of the licence.

8. Until the day of the coming into force of this Law, an accredited educational institution, if it does not have an accredited educational programme, is entitled to issue State-approved education documents regarding acquisition of education in conformity with educational programmes, until the end of the accreditation period.

9. Section 9, Paragraph one and Paragraph two, Clause 2 of this Law shall come into force progressively:

1) on 1 September 1999 – with respect to institutions of higher education;

2) on 1 September 1999 – State and local government general educational institutions with another language for studies shall commence the implementation of educational programmes of ethnic minorities or a transition to studies in the official language; and

3) on 1 September 2004 – studies in the tenth form of the State and local government general educational institutions and in the first academic year of the State and local government professional educational institutions studies shall be commenced only in the official language.

10. Within a year from the coming into force of this Law, all educational institutions and other institutions that implement educational programmes, shall submit to the Ministry of Education and Science all data necessary for registration in the Educational Programmes Register and the Educator Register, and shall harmonise the names of the educational institutions with the classifications of the Educational Programmes Register and the Educational Institution Register.

11. Extra-scholastic institutions that have been founded before the day of the coming into force of this Law, shall retain status of such, and activity of such shall be harmonised within a year, with the provisions of Section 47 corresponding to interest related education.

12. Educational institutions that have been founded before the day of the coming into force of this Law and continue to function shall be registered, until 1 March 1999, in the Educational Institution Register, observing the provisions of Sections 24 and 39 of this Law.

13. Amendments to Section 59, Paragraph two of this Law regarding the financing of private educational institutions (that implement accredited basic education and general secondary educational programmes in the official language) in compliance with the minimum costs for implementation of the educational programmes per one educatee, specified by the Cabinet, shall come into force on 1 September 2001.

[11 November 1999; 11 May 2000]

This Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 29 October 1998.

President G. Ulmanis

Riga, 17 November 1998

Transitional Provision
(regarding amending Law of 11 May 2000)

With the coming into force of this Law, the Cabinet Regulation No. 11 “Amendments to the Education Law” (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 2000, No. 6) is repealed.

¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2000 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre)