Latvia

Latvian school names may appear strange to a foreigner, since they are named according to the highest level they teach: primary (1-4), elementary (1-9), secondary (1-12). Pupils attend the same local school, and the name indicates the level of education children can achieve in a particular school. In the 1997-1998 academic year, approximately 159,000 children (44.8 percent) studied at the elementary schools (1-9 grades). The next stage of education is secondary education, for pupils studying from grades 10 to 12. In 1996-1997, secondary schools offered education to 49,000 pupils (13.8 percent of pupils attending schools). Another branch of secondary education are the secondary specialized schools. In 1997-1998, approximately 19,000 children studied in 50 specialized schools. Two secondary specialized schools are private schools.

Finally, because of shortcomings in transportation and long traveling distances, the government provides boarding schools called gymnasiums. Rural gymnasiums have a smaller number of students, but the town gymnasiums are so full that students must study in two shifts.

Former Soviet-type schools had one curriculum for all schools across the union. Today, the curriculum has changed dramatically with new needs, subjects, and credit requirements influencing those changes. Pupils in the final grades in secondary schools can have electives and create their own curriculum.

Teachers control learning results by grading test papers and oral answers. At the end of the quarter (semester) grades are averaged. Exams, written or oral, are given at the end of the year. Examination procedures are also being restructured.

After completion of secondary school, a certificate/diploma is conferred. Those who graduate from vocational education institutions receive a diploma in vocational education or a diploma in secondary specialized education.

Teachers in secondary education schools must be graduates of the pedagogical university or have a Master's degree. In addition to general courses in philosophy, language, and literature, they study education-related courses, such as psychology, history of education, and general educational methodology. They also study the methodology of their specialization subject, such as the teaching of math or a foreign language.

School age children who fail to pass the required exams are repeaters. Those who fail to attend the school are dropouts. According to estimates for school year 1996-1997, there were about 5,000 children in Latvia who did not attend school. Additionally, the number of under-age criminal offenders convicted by the court was growing rapidly.

Vocational education is provided by secondary specialized institutions that may belong to the state or local government, or they may be privately controlled. The Ministry of Education and Science administers 58 vocational institutions; the Ministry of Agriculture, 38; the Ministry of Welfare, 9; and the Ministry of Culture, 15.

Vocational education can be acquired at trade elementary, secondary, or grammar schools. More than 26,000 students receive training in 78 trade schools. Only 4 of these schools are private, while the others are state-funded. Education programs at this level are designed for training skilled workers. The study period ranges from 1 to 4 years, depending on the field of education and the curriculum. Only graduates of trade grammar schools may proceed to higher education because their education program also includes general secondary education curriculum. Graduates of other trade schools who want to proceed to higher education must study a general secondary education curriculum. Approximately 40 percent of elementary school graduates and about 20 percent of secondary school graduates continue their studies at vocational educational establishments. In the 1995-1996 academic year, about 25,000 students studied at vocational education institutions.

Secondary specialized education can be pursued in technical secondary schools, polytechnics, and other educational institutions, including colleges that are authorized to educate and train such specialists. Secondary specialized education programs provide both skills and knowledge in a specific trade as well as in organizing and managing work. Elementary school graduates study from 4 to 5 years in these specialized programs, and secondary school graduates study from 2 to 3 years. These education programs include vocational education and the general secondary education program. Upon completing a secondary specialized program, graduates may apply to an institute of higher education.

Nonformal education in fine arts, performance, sewing, culinary arts, and other skills is provided at schools and clubs. Teachers, parents, or volunteers are normally the leaders of informal groups. Physical education teachers supervise all athletic extra-curricular activities to prepare the school teams for competitions at region, city, and even republic levels.