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

Vocational Education Law

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Terms Used in this Law

(1) The terms used in this Law shall comply with the terms used in the Education Law, unless specified otherwise in this Law.

(2) The following terms are used in this Law:

1) vocational basic education - partial secondary level vocational education which provides a possibility to obtain a second level vocational qualification;

2) centralised examination - an examination set up according to special methods and organised in accordance with an agreed procedure at the State level, in order to evaluate learning achievements of students with regard to the acquisition of vocational education or vocational qualifications;

3) trainee - a student, who in accordance with the acquisition of the practical part of the relevant programme of vocational education is placed for work experience at an institution, undertaking (company) or organisation;

4) profession - a type of occupation of a natural person in the field of the production of goods, distribution or services, as well as in education, culture and art which requires a certain preparedness (education);

5) higher vocational education - higher level vocational education which provides a possibility to acquire a fourth or fifth level vocational qualification;

6) vocational initial education - vocational education of a basic level, which provides a possibility to obtain a first level vocational qualification;

7) professional experience - previous work in a relevant profession in the Republic of Latvia, as well as in a foreign state;

8) vocational secondary education - medium level vocational education, which provides a possibility to obtain a vocational third level qualification;

9) level of vocational qualification - theoretical and practical preparedness, which provides an opportunity to perform work corresponding to a certain level of complexity and responsibility;

10) first level higher vocational education (college education) - higher level vocational education, which provides a possibility to obtain a fourth level vocational qualification;

11) second level higher vocational education - higher level vocational education, which provides a possibility to obtain a fifth level vocational qualification;

12) vocational further education - a special kind of vocational education which provides an opportunity for adults with previous education and professional experience to acquire a specific level vocational qualification; and

13) vocational in-service training - a special kind of vocational education which provides an opportunity for persons, irrespective of their age and previous education or vocational qualification, to acquire systematic vocational knowledge and skills corresponding to the requirements of the labour market.

[5 July 2001]

Section 2. Purpose and Tasks of this Law

(1) The purpose of this Law is to implement the State vocational education policy and the operation, management and development of the vocational education system.

(2) The tasks of the Law are the following:

1) to ensure the possibility to obtain general knowledge and skill, as well as a vocational qualification;

2) to determine the levels of vocational education, levels of vocational qualifications and education necessary for the acquisition of a relevant vocational qualification;

3) to determine the competence of the persons involved in vocational education and the awarding of vocational qualifications; and

4) to provide comparability of the vocational education and vocational qualifications of Latvia with the vocational education and vocational qualifications obtainable in foreign states, providing the possibility for students to continue education in foreign states and compete in the international labour market.

Section 3. Application of this Law

(1) The Law regulates implementation of vocational initial education, vocational secondary education and first level higher vocational education and the award of corresponding vocational qualifications.

(2) The implementation of second level higher vocational education and the award of corresponding vocational qualifications shall be regulated by the Institutions of Higher Education Law, other laws and regulatory enactments.

Section 4. Levels of Vocational Education

(1) The following levels of vocational education are specified in the education system of Latvia:

1) vocational initial education;

2) vocational secondary education;

3) higher vocational education;

(2) Higher vocational education shall be divided as follows:

1) first level higher vocational education (college education); and

2) second level higher vocational education.

[5 July 2001]

Section 5. Levels of Vocational Qualification

There are five levels of vocational qualifications specified in the education system of Latvia (hereinafter - qualification levels):

1) the first qualification level - theoretical and practical training, which provides an opportunity to perform simple tasks in a specific sphere of practical operation;

2) the second qualification level - theoretical and practical training, which provides an opportunity to perform independently qualified artisan work;

3) the third qualification level - higher theoretical preparedness and professional skill, which provides an opportunity to perform specific artisan duties, which also include planning and organising of the work to be implemented;

4) the fourth qualification level - theoretical and practical training, which provides an opportunity to perform complicated artisan work, as well as to organise and manage the work of other specialists; and

5) the fifth qualification level - higher qualification of a specific sector, which provides an opportunity to plan and also perform scientific research work in the relevant sector.

Section 6. Documents Certifying Vocational Education and Vocational Qualifications

(1) The following State recognised vocational education documents shall be issued regarding the acquisition of an accredited vocational education programme:

1) a certificate of vocational initial education;

2) a certificate of vocational basic education;

3) a diploma of vocational secondary education; and

4) a diploma of first level higher vocational education.

(2) A State-recognised vocational education document shall certify the acquisition of a certain vocational education and vocational qualifications. A State-recognised vocational education document shall be issued to a student who has acquired an accredited vocational education programme and passed the vocational qualification final examinations and other examinations specified by the State vocational education standard.

(3) A vocational qualification certificate shall confirm the acquisition of a certain vocational qualification. A vocational qualification certificate shall be issued to a student who has passed the vocational qualification examination and fulfilled one of the following conditions:

1) has acquired an accredited vocational further education programme;

2) has partly acquired an accredited vocational education programme; or

3) has acquired the relevant vocational education programme in the form of self-education.

(4) in respect of a student, who has partly acquired an accredited education programme and has not passed the qualification examinations, the educational institution shall submit a document in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet regarding the acquisition of part of the relevant vocational education programme.

(5) A certificate regarding the acquisition of vocational in-service training shall be issued to a student who has acquired a vocational in-service training programme.

(6) A certificate regarding the acquisition of a vocational oriented education shall be issued to a student who has acquired a vocational in-service training programme.

[5 July 2001]

Chapter II
Organisation of Vocational Education

Section 7. Competence of the Cabinet

The Cabinet shall:

1) determine State policy and strategy direction in vocational education;

2) determine profession standards and the procedures for development thereof;

3) [5 July 2001];

4) determine the organisational procedures for in-service training;

5) determine the form of State-recognised vocational qualification documents, issuance criteria and procedures, as well as the form of documents certifying vocational in-service training and vocational oriented education and the issuance procedures thereof;

6) [5 July 2001];

7) determine procedures by which examination centres shall be accredited in which centralised examinations of vocational qualification are to be administered; and

8) perform other functions related to vocational education specified in this Law and the Education Law.

[5 July 2001]

Section 8. Competence of the Ministry of Education and Science

The Ministry of Education and Science:

1) shall develop model vocational education institution by-laws;

2) shall establish and update a register of profession standards;

3) shall organise the development of profession standards;

4) shall develop proposals and in accordance with specified procedures shall submit a request for the granting of funds from the State budget, shall finance vocational education institutions and vocational education support institutions under its supervision from the funds allocated for this purpose;

5) shall develop draft in-service training organisation regulations and other regulatory enactments in vocational education;

6) shall organise vocational orientation and research of the labour market and labour demand;

7) shall perform accreditation of examination centres in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet;

8) shall approve the by-laws of the State vocational education institutions under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science; and

9) perform other functions related to vocational education specified in this Law and the Education Law.

[5 July 2001]

Section 9. Competence of Other Ministries

Other ministries:

1) shall develop proposals and in accordance with specified procedures shall submit a request for the granting of funds from the State budget, shall finance vocational education institutions and vocational education support institutions under their supervision from the funds allocated for this purpose;

2) shall co-operate with the Ministry of Education and Science in the development and updating of profession standards, the evaluation of the quality of vocational education and other matters connected with vocational education;

3) shall organise the further education of the teachers in vocational education institutions under the supervision thereof in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Science, other State institutions and local governments;

4) shall participate in the activities of State, local government, labour organisations, employers and other public organisations and institutions promoting co-operation;

5) shall organise vocational further education and vocational in-service training of adults, as well as the retraining and training of the unemployed; and

6) shall perform other functions related to vocational education specified in this Law and the Education Law.

[5 July 2001]

Section 10. Competence of Local Governments

(1) The local governments shall participate in the implementation of vocational education, shall promote the development of entrepreneurial activities in the territory thereof, shall co-operate with employers' organisations, shall participate in resolving the issues thereof, which are connected with the provision of the traineeship placements for students in the territory of the relevant local government.

(2) This Law, the Education Law and other regulatory enactments shall determine the competence of local governments in the implementation of vocational education.

Section 11. Vocational Education Support Institutions

(1) Vocational education support institutions shall be established in order to ensure research, informative, methodological and other kinds of intellectual support for students, parents of students, teachers, educational institutions and professional organisations.

(2) Vocational education support institutions:

1) shall provide organisational and methodological assistance in the development of profession standards, development and implementation of education programmes, vocational orientation and other matters related to vocational education;

2) shall organise the development of teaching aids;

3) shall organise the further education of teachers; and

4) shall participate in the research of labour markets and other markets associated with vocational education.

(3) State vocational education support institutions shall be established, reorganised and liquidated by the Cabinet on the basis of a proposal from the Ministry of Education and Science or another Ministry.

[5 July 2001]

Section 12. Competence of Trade Unions, Employers and Other Public Organisations

(1) Trade unions, employers' and other public organisations within the scope of their competence shall promote the development of vocational education, and they have the right:

1) to participate in the drawing up of conceptual issues and to draft regulatory enactments in the field of vocational education, create and implement vocational education strategy and policy, planning of the State remit and the direction of development of the sector;

2) to perform market intelligence and planning of the direction of development of vocational education in co-operation with State and local government institutions;

3) to participate in the drawing up of profession standards and education programmes, the implementation of vocational education, ensuring the necessary work conditions for students at the traineeship placement, as well as to participate in the provision and evaluation of the quality of vocational education; and

4) to participate in work of State, local government, trade union, employer and other public organisation co-operation councils, councils of vocational education institutions and in the work of other institutions promoting vocational education.

(2) The performance of particular functions of vocational education administration and support may be delegated to public organisations in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Cabinet, co-ordinating it with the Vocational Education Co-operation Council and providing the relevant financing.

Section 13. Vocational Education Co-operation Council

(1) The Vocational Education Co-operation Council (hereinafter - Co-operation Council) shall be a public consultative and co-ordinating institution, which includes representatives of ministries, local governments, vocational education institutions, employers and other public organisations involved in the implementation of vocational education.

(2) The Cabinet shall approve the Co-operation Council by-laws.

(3) The aim of the Co-operation Council shall be to promote the taking of decisions in matters related to vocational education, as well as to promote the co-operation of persons involved in the drawing up and implementation of State vocational education policy, in order to facilitate the development of vocational education.

Chapter III
Vocational Education Institutions

Section 14. Procedures for the Establishment, Re-organisation and Liquidation of Vocational Education Institutions

(1) State vocational education institutions shall be established, re-organised and liquidated by the Cabinet on the basis of a proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science or another Ministry.

(2) Local government vocational education institutions shall be established, re-organised and liquidated by the relevant local government city councils (parish or district councils), in co-ordination with the Ministry of Education and Science.

(3) Private vocational education institutions shall be established, re-organised and liquidated by legal persons and natural persons. State and local governments may participate in the establishment of private education institutions.

(4) The Education Law shall specify procedures for the registration of vocational education institutions.

Section 15. Status of a Vocational Education Institution and Operation thereof

(1) The legal basis for the operation of a vocational education institution shall be this Law, the Education Law, other regulatory enactments and the by-laws of the relevant vocational education institution. The founder shall approve the by-laws of the vocational education institutions thereof. The by-laws of a college shall be adopted by the founder thereof and approved by the Ministry of Education and Science. The college may commence its operation, when the by-laws thereof have been approved by the Ministry of Education and Science and it has been registered in the Register of Educational Institutions.

(2) The basic purpose of vocational education institutions shall be the implementation of vocational education programmes.

(3) A vocational education institution, in accordance with the Education Law and the provisions of other laws and regulatory enactments, has the right to independently perform economic and other kinds of activities if such does not interfere with the implementation of education programmes and it has been provided for in the by-laws of the education institution.

(4) If the Minister for Education and Science has ascertained non-compliance of the by-laws of the college or the State vocational education institution or in the operation thereof with laws or other regulatory enactments, he or she may suspend the operation of the by-law until relevant amendments have been made or imperfections are eliminated within a period of time specified by him or her.

(5) If the Minister for Education and Science has ascertained non-compliance with the by-laws of the local government or private education institution, excluding colleges, or in the operation thereof with laws or other regulatory enactments, he or she may propose to the founder of the institution to suspend the operation of the by-laws of the institution until the relevant amendments have been made or imperfections are eliminated within the period of time specified by him or her.

(6) If within the period of time specified by the Minister for Education and Science the education institution has not made the relevant amendments or has not eliminated the imperfections indicated, the Minister has the right to suspend the operation of the education institution or withdraw the registration certificate of the education institution, deleting such education institution from the Register of Education Institutions.

[5 July 2001]

Section 16. Name of a Vocational Education Institution

(1) The name of a vocational education institution, depending on the level of education to be implemented, shall include one of the following words:

1) school (a trade school or other educational institution, which implements the programmes of vocational initial education or partial secondary level vocational education, which provides an opportunity to obtain a first or second level vocational qualification);

2) secondary school (a vocational secondary school or other educational institution, which implements programmes of vocational secondary education, which provide an opportunity to obtain a third level vocational qualification); and

3) college [an educational institution which implements first level higher vocational education programmes (college education) and provides an opportunity to acquire a fourth level vocational qualification].

(2) In addition to the level of education to be implemented, the name of the vocational education institution may include the characteristics of the education programme.

(3) A vocational education institution has the right to implement different levels of vocational education programmes. The name of the educational institution shall be determined pursuant to the highest level of education to be implemented in the relevant educational institution if the proportion of the relevant education programmes are not less than 30 per cent.

[5 July 2001]

Section 17. By-laws of a Vocational Education Institution

The by-laws of a vocational education institution shall indicate:

1) the name of the educational institution and the legal address thereof;

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

3) the aims of the operation of the educational institution, basic directions and tasks;

4) the educational programmes to be implemented in the educational institution;

5) the organisation of the educational process;

6) the rights and duties of teachers and other employees;

7) the rights and duties of the students;

8) the procedures for the establishment of self-management of the educational institution and the competence thereof;

9) the procedures for acceptance of documents regulating the internal order of the educational institution;

10) the economic activity of the educational institution;

11) the sources of financing of the educational institution and procedures;

12) the procedures of reorganisation and liquidation of the educational institution;

13) the procedures for acceptance of the by-laws of the educational institution and the amendments thereof; and

14) other important provisions, which are not in conflict with this Law, the Education Law and other regulatory enactments.

Chapter IV
Teachers and Students of Vocational Education Institutions

Section 18. The Right to Work as a Teacher in a Vocational Education Institution

A person shall have the right to work as a teacher in a vocational education institution who has an appropriate vocational education (qualification) and pedagogical education or who has an appropriate vocational education (qualification) and who is acquiring a pedagogical education, which meets the requirements specified by the Cabinet for the vocational qualification of a teacher of a vocational education institution.

Section 19. Vocational qualification of Teachers at a Vocational Education Institution

The vocational qualification of a teacher of a vocational education institution shall be certified by the documents recognised by the State regarding an appropriate vocational education (qualification) and pedagogical education.

Section 20. Remuneration for Work by a Teacher of a Vocational Education Institution

(1) The remuneration for work by a teacher of a vocational education institution shall be determined in accordance with his or her professional experience, vocational qualification and workload.

[5 July 2001]

Section 21. Relationship of the Students to Mandatory Military Service

(1) Students shall not be called up for mandatory military service if they are acquiring an accredited vocational education programme in full-time studies at vocational education institutions.

(2) The Civil Service Administration may not prevent persons subject to mandatory military service:

1) commencing an educational programme in full-time studies for the acquisition of vocational secondary or general secondary education during the first year (by 1 October) after the acquisition of a vocational education;

2) commencing a programme at first level higher vocational education in full-time studies during the first year (by 1 October) after the acquisition of a general secondary education or vocational secondary education; or

3) commencing a programme at second level higher vocational education or a programme of academic education in full-time studies during the first year after the acquisition of a first level higher vocational education.

Chapter V
Content of Vocational Education

Section 22. Basic Documents Regulating the Content of Vocational Education

(1) The basic documents regulating the content of vocational education shall be the following:

1) the State vocational education standard;

2) the profession standard; and

3) the vocational education programme.

(2) The State vocational education standard and profession standard shall be mandatory for everyone who draws up and implements vocational education programmes.

Section 23. State Vocational Education Standards

(1) The State vocational education standards determined by law - the State vocational education standard, the State vocational secondary education standard and the State first level higher vocational education standard - in accordance with the educational level shall be determined by:

1) the strategic objectives of the educational programmes;

2) the mandatory content of education; and

3) the guiding principles of evaluation and procedures for the education acquired.

(2) The State vocational education standards shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Education and Science and they shall be approved by the Cabinet.

Section 24. Profession Standard

(1) A profession standard shall determine the primary requirements of a vocational qualification, as well as the relevant specific requirements necessary for the performance of the main work tasks in the relevant profession.

(2) The profession standards shall be determined by laws or Cabinet regulations. The authorities authorised by law or Cabinet regulations may determine profession standards.

(3) The drawing up of profession standards shall be organised by the Ministry of Education Science in co-operation with the Vocational Education Co-operation Council.

[5 July 2001]

Section 25. Vocational Education Programme

(1) A vocational education programme shall be the document regulating vocational education, which, in accordance with the State vocational education standard of the relevant educational level and profession standard, shall determine:

1) the tasks of the vocational education programme;

2) the content of the vocational education programme;

3) the implementation plan of the vocational education programme;

4) the requirements in respect of education acquired previously; and

5) the staff, financial and material resources necessary for the implementation of the vocational education programme.

(2) The vocational education programme shall be drawn up by the educational institution in co-ordination with the founder thereof.

[5 July 2001]

Section 26. Types of Vocational Education Programmes

Depending on the education to be acquired, vocational education programmes shall be divided as follows:

1) vocational initial education programmes;

2) vocational basic education programmes;

3) vocational secondary education programmes;

4) first level higher vocational education (college education) programmes;

5) vocational further education programmes;

6) vocational in-service training programmes; and

7) vocational oriented educational programmes;

[5 July 2001]

Section 27. Admission of Students to Vocational Education Programmes

(1) A person shall be admitted to a vocational initial education programme without limitation of their previous education and not earlier than in that calendar year when he or she becomes 15 years old.

(2) A person shall be admitted to a vocational secondary education programme after the acquisition of a general primary education or vocational initial education.

(3) A person shall be admitted to a first level higher vocational education programme after the acquisition of a general secondary education or vocational secondary education.

(4) Admission for vocational in-service training programmes shall not be regulated.

(5) This Law, the Law on Trade Activities and other regulatory enactments shall determine procedures by which employees (trainees) shall acquire vocational education programmes.

(6) A person shall be admitted to a vocational further education programme, which provides an opportunity to acquire a second level vocational qualification, without limitation of their previous education.

(7) A person shall be accepted for a vocational further education programme, which provides an opportunity to acquire a third level vocational qualification, after the acquisition of a vocational basic education or secondary education.

(8) A person shall be accepted for a vocational further education programme, which provides an opportunity to acquire a fourth level vocational qualification and which is implemented in a college or higher education institution if he or she has at least a first level higher vocational education.

(9) Regulations of admission to vocational oriented education shall be determined by the relevant education programme.

[5 July 2001]

Section 28. Implementation of Vocational Education Programmes

(1) The forms of acquisition of vocational education shall be the following:

1) full-time;

2) part-time; and

3) self-education.

(2) The duration of the implementation of a vocational education programme by full-time studies in a vocational education institution shall be the following:

1) the duration of acquisition of a vocational initial education - not more than two years (with a pedagogical correction - not more than three years);

2) the duration of acquisition of a vocational basic education - not more than three years;

3) the duration of acquisition of a vocational secondary education after the acquisition of an primary education - three to four years; after the acquisition of a vocational basic education - one to two years; and

4) the duration of acquisition of a first level higher vocational education - two to three years.

(3) A teaching load in one week of a vocational education programme may not exceed:

1) for students under 18 - 36 lesson hours; and

2) for students aged from 18 - 40 lesson hours.

(4) The duration of a lesson shall be from 40 to 45 minutes, and it shall be determined by the head of the education institution.

(5) The vocational further education programme shall include not less than 30 per cent of the amount of mandatory vocational content specified by the State vocational basic education or the State vocational secondary education standard or not less than 30 per cent of the amount of mandatory content specified by the State first level higher vocational education standard.

(6) The duration of acquisition and the content of vocational in-service training and vocational oriented education shall be determined by the relevant education programme.

[5 July 2001]

Section 29. Final Examinations for the Acquisition of a Vocational Education Programme

(1) The acquisition of a vocational education programme shall be concluded with the qualification examinations and by other final examinations specified in the vocational education standard. The Ministry of Education and Science shall determine the procedures of the process of the State final examinations.

(2) A student, who has commenced the acquisition of an vocational initial education or vocational basic education without a primary education, shall also be provided with a pedagogical correction, and after passing the final examinations shall be issued in addition with an education document regarding the acquisition of a general primary education.

(3) The Cabinet shall approve a list of the vocational qualifications, which are acquired by passing the vocational qualification centralised examinations.

(4) Vocational qualification centralised examinations, in accordance with the requirements of the vocational education standard, shall be passed in accredited vocational education institutions or in accredited examination centres. The Ministry of Education and Science shall determine the vocational education institutions and examination centres, in which the vocational qualification examinations are to be passed,, in co-ordination with the founder and the Co-operation Council. Vocational education institutions and examination centres shall organise the process of qualification examinations in co-operation with vocational education support institutions, sectoral ministries and professional organisations. Examination centres shall be accredited in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet.

[5 July 2001]

Section 30. Licensing, Accreditation and Registration of Vocational Education Programmes

(1) Vocational education programmes shall be licensed and vocational education institutions shall be registered and accredited in accordance with the procedures specified by the Education Law.

(2) An education institution is entitled to implement only licensed vocational education programmes.

(3) During accreditation of the vocational education programme, the quality of implementation of the vocational education programme shall be evaluated. An education institution, which implements an accredited vocational education programme, has the right to issue a State-recognised document certifying vocational education or a vocational qualification.

(4) First level higher vocational education programmes, which implement a part of a second level higher vocational education programme, shall be accredited in accordance with the procedures set out in the Institutions of Higher Education Law.

(5) Vocational education programmes, except vocational in-service training and vocational oriented education programmes, shall be accredited in accordance with the procedures specified by the Education Law.

(6) Accredited local government and private vocational education and vocational oriented education institutions shall be entitled, in accordance with the procedures specified by the Law, to lay claim to State financing for the implementation of vocational further education, vocational in-service training and vocational oriented education programmes.

[5 July 2001]

Chapter VI
Financing of Vocational Education

Section 31. Financing of Vocational Education Programmes and Institutions

(1) This Law, the Education Law, other regulatory enactments and the by-laws of the relevant vocational education institution shall determine the procedures for the financing of vocational education institutions.

(2) The Ministry of Education and Science and sectoral ministries shall determine the number of places financed by the State in accredited vocational education programmes in State, local government and private education institutions.

(3) The cost of centralised final examinations for vocational qualifications and other costs related to the granting of a vocational qualification shall be covered from the monies of those institutions, in which the student acquires the relevant vocational education programme.

(4) The acquisition of a vocational education and vocational qualification in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet shall be covered from the State budget:

1) for students with special needs if they are located at a special education or social and pedagogical correction institution; and

2) for convicted persons if they are located at a penitentiary.

(5) The founders shall determine the fee for the acquisition of a vocational education and vocational qualification in private vocational education institutions thereof.

(6) During practice, the mandatory social insurance payments for students shall be covered from the monies of that education institution, in which the student acquires the relevant vocational education programme.

[5 July 2001]

Section 32. Credit for the Acquisition of Vocational Education

Students of an accredited first level higher vocational education programme, in order to cover the tuition fee, may receive a student loan from the funds of the State budget or credit institution with a State guarantee. The procedures specified in the Institutions of Higher Education Law in respect of students of accredited study programmes are to be applied for the allocation, repayment and cancellation of the credit.

[5 July 2001]

Section 33. Material Resources of the Vocational Education Institutions and Education Support Institutions

(1) The establishment and utilisation of the material resources of vocational education institutions shall be prescribed by the Education Law.

(2) If a State vocational education institution is situated on State immovable property, such property shall be registered in the Land Register in the name of the State on behalf of the Ministry, under the supervision of which is the relevant education institution.

Transitional Provisions

1. Section 18 of this Law shall come into force on 1 January 2004.

2. Documents certifying an education and vocational qualification after passing of the final examinations shall be issued in accordance with the procedures, which were in force by the coming into effect of this Law for students who have commenced the acquisition of a vocational education or specialised secondary education programme before the coming into effect of this Law.

3. State vocational initial education, vocational basic education and vocational secondary education institutions have the right to issue documents certifying vocational education and vocational qualification in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of this Law and to organise centralised qualification examinations by their accreditation, but not later than by 1 September 2004.

[5 July 2001]

4. The duties of the founder of a State vocational education institution in the cases referred to in Section 15, Paragraph one; Section 25, Paragraph two and Section 29, Paragraph four of this Law, shall be carried out by the Ministry of Education and Science or other Ministry to the supervision of which the vocational education institution has been transferred.

[5 July 2001]

5. Non-accredited private vocational education institutions are entitled to qualify for the State financing provided for in Section 30, Paragraph six of this Law by the accreditation thereof, but not later than by 1 January 2003.

[5 July 2001]

This Law was adopted by the Saeima on 10 June 1999.

President G. Ulmanis

Rīga, 30 June 1999

¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2005 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre)