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

Education Law

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Terms Used in this 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 and art, or in an academic or professional study stream in preparation for scientific and professional activity;

2¹) formal education - a system which includes basic education, secondary education and higher education levels the acquisition of the programme of which is certified by an education or professional qualification document recognised by the State, as well as an education and professional qualification document;

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 upbringing 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 teachers, 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 a commercial 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 or a local government structural unit that performs the functions of educational administration;

10) accreditation of an educational programme - the acquiring of rights by an educational institution or another institutions laid down in this Law 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 or another institutions laid down in this Law to implement a particular educational programme;

12) educatee - a pupil, trainee, student or listener who is pursuing an educational programme at an educational institution or with an teacher working in private practice;

12¹) career - interaction of education, work and private life during the life of a person;

12²) career education - measures integrated in the education process in order to ensure the acquisition and development of career management skills of educatees, which include being aware of one's interests, abilities and opportunities for selecting the direction of further education and professional career;

12³) career development support - an aggregate of measures, which includes access to information, career education and individual consultations for educatees for determination and planning of career objectives, making a choice in relation to education and work;

12⁴) educational materials - the following to be used in implementation of an educational programme and acquisition of the education content, including to be used in the electronic environment:

a) study literature (textbooks, work exercise-books considered as equivalent thereto and other editions provided for the acquisition of the education content, which are used in the study process in the guidelines for the State pre-school education, in the acquisition of the content laid down in the State basic education, general secondary education, vocational secondary education and industrial education standards),

b) methodological aids (methodological recommendations and other study editions provided for work needs of a teacher),

c) additional literature (reference literature, cartographic editions, music editions, fiction, including children's literature and other periodicals and non-periodicals necessary for implementation of educational programmes),

d) visual aids (graphic productions, text editions, visual materials, natural study objects, mock-ups and models in which visual or recorded information is inserted),

e) didactic games (games to be used in the study process, which include tasks for the acquisition of the study content or elements for testing study achievements),

f) digital teaching aids and resources (electronic editions and resources which include the content necessary for implementation of the educational programme),

g) handouts (exercises, schemes, work sheets, examples, samples and other materials which are provided for each educatee, individualising the study process),

h) educational technical aids (technical equipment and devices to be used in the study process, including technical equipment and devices provided for educatees with special needs),

i) educational materials (substances, raw materials and objects which are used for the acquisition of the study content, carrying out practical tasks),

j) installations and equipment (devices, tools, instruments, objects and accessories, including sports equipment with the aid of which the acquisition of the study content is ensured, guaranteeing conformity with safety and hygiene requirements),

k) individual study accessories (objects and aids for personal use of educatees, which are used as educational aids or in relation to the provision of study opportunities: stationary, clothing and footwear, specific clothing, footwear and hygiene accessories necessary for the acquisition of the mandatory content of individual study subjects (sports, housekeeping and technologies, etc.), aids using which in the study process the pupil creates and object or product for his or her own needs];

13) subject of study or course programme - 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 mandatory content of a subject of study or a course, and the forms and procedures for evaluation of educational achievement;

14¹) non-formal education - educational activities in conformity with interests and demand organised outside of formal education;

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;

16¹) teacher - a natural person who has the education and the professional qualifications laid down in this Law or in other laws governing 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 a commercial 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 of professional qualification and improvement of professional competence;

20¹) professional orientation education - the acquisition of systematised knowledge and skills, as well as the formation of values orientation in art, culture or sport concurrently with the basic education or secondary education level, which provides a possibility to prepare for the acquisition of a professional education in the selected direction;

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

22) [9 July 2013];

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 use of various technical and electronic means of communication;

26¹) State Education Information System - a database in which information regarding educational institutions, licensed and accredited educational programmes, educatees, teachers, academic staff of institutions of higher education and colleges, education documents and national statistics is compiled;

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 mandatory 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; 5 July 2001; 13 November 2008; 4 March 2010; 9 July 2013]

Section 2. Purpose of this Law

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;

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

Section 3. Right to Education

(1) The following persons have the right to education:

1) a citizen of Latvia;

2) a non-citizen of Latvia;

3) a citizen of the European Union, a citizen of the European Economic Area or a citizen of Swiss Confederation;

4) a permanent resident of the European Community who has a valid residence permit in the Republic of Latvia;

5) a stateless person who has a valid travel document of the stateless person issued in the Republic of Latvia;

6) a citizen of another state, other than a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Swiss Confederation (hereinafter - a third-country national) or a stateless person who has a valid residence permit in the Republic of Latvia;

7) a refugee or a person who has acquired alternative status;

8) a person who has received temporary protection in the Republic of Latvia.

(2) A minor child of an asylum seeker and a minor asylum seeker has the right to basic education and secondary education, as well as the right to continue the commenced education after reaching the age of majority.

(3) A minor third-country national or stateless person who has no legal basis to reside in the Republic of Latvia, has the right to acquire basic education during the time period specified for voluntary exit or during the time period for which the expulsion is suspended, as well as during his or her detention.

[4 March 2010]

Section 3.¹ Prohibition of Differential Treatment

(1) The persons referred to in Section 3 of this Law have the right to acquire education regardless of the material and social status, race, nationality, ethnic belonging, gender, religious and political affiliation, state of health, occupation and place of residence.

(2) Differential treatment towards a person due to the conditions referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall be permitted, if it is objectively substantiated with a legal purpose, the means selected for the achievement of which are proportionate.

(3) An educational institution established by a religious organisation is entitled to base on the person's religious affiliation, readiness and capability to act in good faith and loyalty in relation to the dogma (doctrine) of the particular religion, as well as a set of moral and behavioural norms, principles and ideals, which form the basis of the conviction of the believers thereof.

(4) It is prohibited to cause directly or indirectly unfavourable consequences for a person, if he or she maintains his or her rights with a view to prevent differential treatment.

(5) If in the case of dispute a person points to factors which could have been the basis for his or her direct or indirect discrimination due to conditions referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, the implementer of the educational programme has a duty to prove that the prohibition of differential treatment has not been violated.

(6) If the prohibition of differential treatment or the prohibition to cause unfavourable consequences is violated, a person has the right to request elimination of the violation, to receive legal assistance in accordance with the Ombudsman Law, as well as to bring an action to the court. A person has the right to request compensation for losses and remuneration for moral detriment. In the case of dispute the amount of moral detriment shall be determined by the court upon preference thereof.

(7) The prohibition of differential treatment in relation to teachers and other persons employed in the education system shall be governed by other laws.

(8) The term "discrimination" used in this Section and types thereof shall comply with the terms used in the Consumer Rights Protection Law.

[4 March 2010]

Section 4. Mandatory Education

The preparation of children from the age of 5 for the acquisition of basic education and the acquisition of basic education, or the continuation of acquisition of basic education until reaching the age of 18, shall be mandatory.

[5 August 1999; 5 July 2001; 16 June 2009; 1 December 2009]

Section 5. Educational Levels

(1) The following educational levels are specified:

1) pre-school education;

2) basic education;

3) secondary education;

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.

Section 6. Types of Education

The types of education are as follows:

1) general education;

2) professional education;

3) academic education.

Section 7. Education Target Groups

Education target groups are aggregates of persons with similar needs, interests and abilities, which wish to acquire education or for whom the acquisition of mandatory 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 mandatory education age;

3) youths;

4) persons with special needs;

5) adults.

Section 8. Forms of Acquisition of Education

(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;

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.

(4) Paragraph three of this Section shall not apply to institution of higher educational programmes.

[5 February 2004]

Section 9. Language of Acquisition of Education

(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 in conformity with the provisions of Section 41 of this Law;

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 the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.

(3¹) Educational programmes in institutions of higher education established by the State shall be implemented in the official language. Use of foreign languages in the implementation of educational programmes shall be possible only in the following cases:

1) educational programmes, which are being acquired by foreign students in Latvia, and educational programmes, which are implemented within the framework of co-operation provided for in the programmes and interstate agreements of the European Union, may be implemented in the official languages of the European Union. The acquisition of the official language shall be included in the mandatory amount of study courses for foreign students, if the studies in Latvia are intended for more than six months or exceed 20 credit points;

2) not more than one fifth of the amount of credit points of the educational programme may be implemented in the official languages of the European Union, taking into account that final and State examinations, as well as development of qualification, bachelor's and master's thesis, are not included in this part;

3) implementation of educational programmes in a foreign language is necessary for the achievement of the targets of the educational programme in compliance with the education classification of the Republic of Latvia in the following groups of educational programmes: languages and culture studies, language programmes. A licensing commission shall decide on the compliance of the educational programme with the groups of educational programmes.

(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.

[4 March 2010; 15 March 2012]

Section 10. Education and Religion

(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 govern the relations between educational institutions and religious organisations.

Section 11. Education Documents

(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.

Section 11.¹ Recognition in Latvia of Education Document Certificates Issued by Foreign States

(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;

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 to recognise 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 governed 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 governed by laws, as well as in other regulatory enactments - the institutions determined in such laws and other regulatory enactments;

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]

Section 12. Fees for the Acquisition of Education

(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 stipulated 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.

(2¹) A local government may provide for a partial fee in the binding regulations as co-financing for the acquisition of education in the professional orientation educational institutions established by the local government.

(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 stipulated by the Cabinet.

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

(5) For the persons referred to in Section 3, Paragraph one, Clauses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, as well as Paragraphs two and three of this Law, the fee for the acquisition of basic education and secondary education shall be determined and covered in accordance with the same procedures as for a citizen of Latvia and non-citizen of Latvia.

[4 March 2010]

Section 13. International Co-operation in Education

(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.

Chapter II
Organisation of Education

Section 14. Competence of the Cabinet in the Field of Education

The Cabinet shall:

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

2) [5 July 2001];

3) determine the procedures by which the State shall finance basic education and secondary educational programmes, which are implemented by private educational institutions;

4) determine the procedures for receiving, repaying and extinguishing credit, and the amount of credit, for studies in higher educational programmes implemented by educational institutions;

5) determine the procedures for registering children who have reached mandatory school age;

6) approve the constitution of the National Defence Academy of Latvia and institutions of higher education established by private individuals;

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) determine the procedures for registering and accrediting educational institutions and other institutions laid down in this Law;

9) [16 June 2009];

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

11) determine the procedures for licensing and accrediting educational programmes;

12) confirm the list of pedagogical professions and positions;

12¹) determine the procedures and criteria for assessing the professional activity of heads of State and local government educational institutions (except institutions of higher education and colleges);

12²) determine the procedures and conditions of evaluation for the selection of candidates for positions of heads of State and local government educational institutions (except institutions of higher education and colleges) and heads of local government educational boards;

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

14) [5 July 2001];

15) determine the procedures by which the State and local governments organise and finance the publication and acquisition of teaching aids for educational institutions;

15¹) determine the procedures for assessing and approving the compliance of the educational literature with the State basic education and general secondary education standard;

16) determine the procedures for paying work remuneration and the amount of remuneration for teachers;

17) determine the procedures for financing special educational institutions and special education classes of general educational institutions and boarding schools;

18) determine a single State policy and strategy in education and submit the basic guidelines for educational development for the following seven years to the Saeima for approval;

18¹) determine the guidelines for the State pre-school education, which include model educational programmes corresponding to the requirements of such guidelines;

19) set State standards in education, which include model educational programmes corresponding to the requirements of such standards, except model vocational education programmes and model academic education programmes;

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

20¹) determine the procedures by which an educational institution (except institutions of higher education and colleges) ensure library and information services;

21) determine the procedures by which prophylactic health care and access to emergency medical assistance, as well as the safety of educatees in educational institutions and the events organised by such institutions shall be ensured;

22) determine the amount of workload for teachers;

23) determine the procedures for receiving scholarships and the minimum amount of scholarships for the students of higher educational programmes, who have been enrolled according to competitive procedures in conformity with the number of State financed places, and for students of professional educational programmes who have been enrolled in conformity with the number of State or local government financed places;

24) determine the procedures for financing interest-related educational programmes;

25) govern the organisation of children's camps and activity regulations;

26) determine the procedures by which the State shall finance professional orientation educational programmes;

27) determine the authority which keeps the registers of teachers and educational programmes;

28) determine the authority which licences educational programmes;

29) determine the authority which carries out accreditation of educational programmes and educational institutions;

30) determine the content of the State Education Information System and the procedures for the maintaining and updating thereof;

31) determine the procedures by which the State shall finance adult non-formal educational programmes, further educational programmes and professional competence improvement, as well as the criteria for the receipt of the relevant financing;

32) determine the procedures for professional competence improvement of teachers;

33) determine the procedures by which State examinations shall take place in accredited educational programmes (except higher educational programmes);

34) determine the support measures for employers in additional educating of employees, including the criteria for the receipt of such support and the procedures for the implementation of support measures;

35) determine the procedures by which the educational institution shall inform parents (persons who exercise custody) of educatees, local government or State institutions, if an educatee fails to attend educational institution without a justifying reason;

36) determine the procedures by which a local government, according to the average costs necessary for one educatee determined thereby in educational institutions of the respective local government, shall cover the costs of a pre-school educational programme (from the age of eighteen months until commencing the acquisition of basic education) for a private service provider in the case referred to in Section 17, Paragraph 2.¹ of this Law;

37) determine the procedures and criteria for the quality assessment of professional activity of teachers, the documents to be submitted by a teacher for quality assessment of his or her professional activity, the pedagogical work experience which is necessary for awarding the relevant level of quality of professional activity of a teacher, as well as a sample document certifying the level of quality of professional activity of a teacher.

[11 May 2000; 5 July 2001; 20 September 2001; 16 June 2009; 1 December 2009; 4 March 2010; 15 March 2012; 9 July 2013]

Section 15. Competence of the Ministry of Education and Science in the Field of Education

The Ministry of Education and Science shall:

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

2) draw up draft policy planning documents and regulatory enactments in the field of education;

3) ensure the maintenance and updating of the State Education Information System;

4) [16 June 2009];

5) [16 June 2009];

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

7) draw up the guidelines for the State pre-school education, State education standards, as well as model educational programmes corresponding to the requirements of the guidelines for the State pre-school education or State education standards;

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

9) control lawful utilisation of State budget resources provided for education at the educational institutions subordinated thereto;

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

11) draw up course programme 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) determine and co-ordinate the procedures for the acquisition of education and professional competence improvement for teachers;

15) [16 June 2009];

16) [4 March 2010];

17) organise the development of electronic teaching resources and teaching materials complying with the 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) [4 March 2010];

20) [11 May 2000];

21) [15 March 2012];

22) approve the classification of Educational Institution Registers, Educational Programmes Registers and Teacher 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 educational institutions (except institutions of higher education and colleges) subordinated to the Ministry of Education and Science;

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

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;

27) manage the provision of library and information services in educational institutions.

[11 May 2000; 5 July 2001; 16 June 2009; 1 December 2009; 4 March 2010; 15 March 2012; 9 July 2013]

Section 16. Competence of Ministries of Other Sectors in Education

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 subordination;

3) [11 May 2000];

4) ensure the activity of the educational institutions subordinated thereto, 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 subordinated thereto;

6) [4 March 2010];

7) approve the by-laws of educational institutions (except institutions of higher education and colleges) subordinated thereto.

[11 May 2000; 4 March 2010]

Section 17. Competence of Local Governments in Education

(1) Each local government has a duty to ensure that the children, the declared place of residence of which is in the administrative territory of the local government, have the opportunity to acquire pre-school education and basic education at the educational institution closest to the place of residence of the child or at the closest educational institution which implements educational programme in the official language, to ensure that youths have the opportunity to acquire secondary education, as well as to ensure the opportunity to implement interest-related education and to support extracurricular activities, also children's camps.

(2) In order to ensure that a child whose place of residence is declared in the administrative territory of the local government has the opportunity to attend an educational institution of his or her free choice, but who is attending an educational institution which is located in the administrative territory of another local government, the local government has a duty to enter into agreement in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet regarding participation in the financing of the maintenance expenditures of an educational institution subordinated to the relevant local government.

(2¹) If a local government does not ensure a place in a pre-school educational programme implemented by the local government educational institution to a child who has reached the age of 18 months and whose place of residence is declared in the administrative territory of the local government (from the age of 18 months until commencing the acquisition of basic education) and the child is acquiring the pre-school educational programme in a private educational institution, the local government shall cover the costs for such private service provider in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet. The costs shall be covered in the amount that corresponds to the average costs necessary for one educatee in the pre-school educational programme in educational institutions of the respective local government. If the educatee acquires a pre-school educational programme implemented in educational institutions selected by the local government in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Public Procurement Law, the costs shall be covered in the amount which is determined as a result of the public procurement.

(2²) A local government shall determine the average costs necessary for one educatee in a pre-school educational programme in educational institutions of the respective local government. The local government shall publish the abovementioned average costs and the procedures for calculating them on its website.

(3) A city local government and a municipality local government shall:

1) upon co-ordinating with the Ministry of Education and Science establish, reorganise and dissolve general educational institutions, including boarding schools, special educational institutions and classes, as well as pre-school educational groups for children with special needs and interest-related educational institutions, but, upon co-ordinating with the relevant sectoral ministry and the Ministry of Education and Science, establish, reorganise and dissolve professional educational institutions;

2) hire and dismiss heads of general educational institutions, including boarding schools, special educational institutions, vocational education institutions, interest-related educational institutions, professional orientation educational institutions in sports under the subordination thereof, co-ordinating with the ministry of Education and Science, but the heads of professional orientation educational institutions in arts or culture - co-ordinating with the relevant sectoral ministry;

3) determine the procedures by which the educational institutions under the subordination thereof shall be financed from the budget;

4) participate in the financing of State and other local government educational institutions on the basis of mutual agreements;

5) may participate in the financing of private educational institutions on the basis of mutual agreements;

6) allocate local government budget resources to educational institutions, and control utilisation thereof;

7) maintain the educational institutions, except special educational institutions, special educational classes and groups in general educational institutions, boarding schools, also those financed from the State budget, subordinated thereto, taking into account that the financial support provided to such institutions shall not be less than the financial support stipulated by the Cabinet, and control utilisation of such financial resources;

8) provide support to the educational institutions subordinated thereto for the performance of the necessary improvements detected during the accreditation of these educational institutions;

9) ensure the transfer of the State budget resources allocated for salaries of teachers of the educational institutions and educational support institutions subordinated thereto to the accounts of the educational institutions;

10) ensure the work remuneration of the maintenance, technical and medical employees of the educational institutions subordinated thereto, except the work remuneration of the maintenance, technical and medicinal employees of such special educational institutions, special educational classes and groups in general educational institutions, as well as of such boarding schools, which are financed from the State budget;

11) ensure prophylactic health care and access to emergency medical assistance for educatees of the educational institutions subordinated thereto in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet, as well as determine such educatees for whom the cost of meals shall be covered by the local government;

12) ensure the acquisition of education for educatees with special needs (in compliance with the state of health which affects the type of acquisition of education) in special educational institutions, pre-school educational groups for children with special needs, special educational classes, as well as in boarding schools in accordance with the procedures and in the amounts stipulated by the Cabinet;

13) ensure catering in special educational institutions, pre-school educational groups for children with special needs, special educational classes and boarding schools subordinated thereto in accordance with the procedures and in the amounts stipulated by the Cabinet;

14) ensure transport for educatees to commute to the educational institution and back to their place of residence if it is not possible to use public transport;

15) ensure career education for children and youths;

16) ensure interest-related education for children and youths, issue licences for implementation of interest-related educational programmes;

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

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

19) ensure the operation of the local government pedagogical-medical commission and the accessibility thereof for children with special needs;

20) carry out registration of children who have reached the mandatory school age in accordance with procedures stipulated by the Cabinet;

21) specify the amount of benefits and material support of another kind and the procedures for granting thereof to educatees in the educational institutions subordinated thereto;

22) implement policy in adult education and ensure the distribution of the financing granted and supervision over the utilisation of financial resources;

23) finance from its budget the purchase of teaching aids corresponding to the guidelines for the State pre-school education, State basic education, general secondary education, vocational secondary education and industrial education standards - additional literature, visual aids, didactic games, digital teaching aids and resources, handouts, study technical aids, educational materials, devices and equipment - for educational institutions subordinate thereto;

23¹) promote the possibility for educational institutions to use the unified library information system;

24) organise professional skill improvement of teachers, co-ordinate and ensure methodological work;

25) determine the number of positions in institutions of higher education to be funded from the local government budget resources;

26) ensure the organisation of State examinations, including centralised examinations, in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet;

27) support participation of educatees in olympiads of subjects, competitions, shows, projects and sports competitions;

28) fulfil the functions of local governments in the field of education laid down in other regulatory enactments.

(4) [13 November 2008]

(5) [13 November 2008]

[11 May 2000; 5 July 2001; 20 September 2001; 13 November 2008; 4 March 2010; 9 July 2013]

Section 18. Ensuring of Functions of City and Municipality Local Governments in the Field of Education

[13 November 2008]

(1) A local government shall establish at least one position of educational specialist or educational administration institution, in order to implement its functions in the field of education. Academic education or a second level professional higher education and work experience of at least three years in the field of education or in educational administration work is necessary for the educational specialist and the head of an educational administration institution.

(2) Work remuneration of a local government educational specialist and local government educational administration institution shall be financed from the budget of the relevant local government.

(3) Municipality local governments may join for the implementation of one or several functions in the field of education upon mutual agreement regarding financing procedures.

[13 November 2008]

Section 19. Education Support Institution

(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, teachers, 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.

Section 20. State Service of Education Quality

(1) Compliance with this Law, the General Education Law, Professional Education Law, Law On Institutions of Higher Education and other regulatory enactments related to education shall be controlled by the State Service of Education Quality.

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

(3) The State Service of Education Quality shall:

1) control compliance of the educational process with this Law, other laws and regulatory enactments governing education;

2) analyse the activities of educational institutions, draw up proposals for amendments to 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 teacher, 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;

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;

6) issue certificates for the commencement of a pedagogical private practice.

(4) The head of the State Service of Education Quality and his or her authorised service official have the right to:

1) presenting a service identification document, without prior notification, visit the premises of any educational institution and other premises, which are associated with the course of the educational process;

2) request written or oral explanations from any legal or natural person regarding issues within the competence of the Service;

3) request and receive from legal persons and natural persons information necessary for the performance of service duties and copies of documents regarding issues within the competence of the Service;

4) perform inspections, inviting if necessary law enforcement employees or other specialists, to photograph, make audio recordings and video recordings within the competence of the Service;

5) draw up inspection statements and order the rectification of violations determined during the inspection of regulatory enactments associate with education;

6) draw up reports regarding administrative violations.

[5 February 2004; 16 June 2009; 4 March 2010]

Section 21. Public Participation in Education

(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 teachers 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) In order to ensure the educational administration and educational support function specified thereto, the Ministry of Education and Science may delegate the performance of relevant tasks (including organisation of accreditation of higher educational programmes and institutions of higher education and colleges) to a private individual or a public person by entering into a delegation contract.

(4) The delegation contracts referred to in Paragraph three of this Section may include the right to issue administrative deeds.

[4 March 2010]

Chapter III
Educational Institutions

Section 22. Legal Basis for Educational Institution Activity

(1) State, local government and private educational institutions, except commercial 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 commercial 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 and other regulatory enactments, as well as the constitution of the relevant institution of higher education. The constitutions of institutions of higher education shall be approved in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Law On Institutions of Higher Education.

(4) Colleges shall act on the basis of this Law, the Law On Institutions of Higher Education and other regulatory enactments, as well as the by-law of the relevant college. The by-laws of colleges shall be issued in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Law On Institutions of Higher Education.

[4 March 2010]

Section 23. Procedures for the Foundation, Reorganisation and Dissolution of Educational Institutions

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

(2) Local government educational institutions shall be founded, reorganised and dissolved by local governments, co-ordinating with the Ministry of Education and Science or the relevant sectoral ministry and the Ministry of Education and Science.

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

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

(5) The relevant institutions and persons shall be informed regarding liquidation or reorganisation of the educational institution not later than six months beforehand.

[20 September 2001; 4 March 2010]

Section 24. The Educational Institution Register and Necessary Documents for Registration

(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 Education Institution Register is a component of the State Education Information System, and it shall be maintained by the authority determined by the Cabinet. Institutions of higher education shall be registered in the Educational Institution Register in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Law On Institutions of Higher Education.

(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;

5) sources of and procedures for financing;

6) the address, telephone and telefax number and electronic postal address of the authorised person.

(3) The application for the registration of an educational institution shall have appended the by-laws (constitution) for the operation of the educational institution, which have been approved by the founder of the educational institution and documents, which certify the information referred to in the application. The application for the registration of a college shall have in addition appended documents, which certify the conformity of the resources of the college (for example, financial resources, material technical and information base, academic personnel) to the criteria stipulated by the Cabinet for the commencement of the operations of the college.

(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) [16 June 2009]

(6) 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.

(7) Any person shall have access to the information included in the Educational Institution Register free of charge.

[11 May 2000; 5 July 2001; 5 February 2004; 16 June 2009; 4 March 2010; 15 March 2012]

Section 25. Start up of Activities of an Educational Institution

(1) An educational institution is entitled to commence the implementation of an educational programme in accordance with the procedures laid down in regulatory enactments from the registration day thereof in the Educational Institution Register. The day of notification of an administrative deed shall also be considered as the registration day of the educational institution.

(2) An educational institution which implements an educational programme to be licensed as prescribed by this Law, is entitled to enrol educatees only after receipt of a relevant licence for the implementation of the educational programme. This provision does not apply to the educational institutions referred to in Section 47, Paragraph two of this Law.

[11 May 2000; 4 March 2010]

Section 26. Name of an Educational Institution

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

(2) The name of an educational institution shall clearly and definitely differ from other names of educational institutions already registered in the Educational Institution Register.

(3) Only letters of Latvian or Latin alphabet may be used in the name of an educational institution.

(4) An educational institution is entitled, in accordance with the historic traditions thereof and with the permission of the Minister for Education and Science, to use another name that does not contravene this Law and other regulatory enactments.

[4 March 2010]

Section 27. Accreditation of Educational Institutions

Educational institutions, except those which implement only interest-related educational programmes, shall be accredited in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet. Educational institutions which implement basic and secondary level educational programmes shall be accredited for six years in accordance with the procedures stipulated 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; 4 March 2010]

Section 28. Independence of Educational Institutions

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.

Section 29. Competence of the Founder of an 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.

Section 30. Head of an Educational Institution

(1) A 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 govern the operation of educational institutions, as well as for rational use of intellectual, financial and material resources.

(2) A 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 stipulated by the Cabinet.

(3) It is a duty of a head of an educational institution to ensure the creation and operation of a council for the educational institution. The head of the educational institution shall, once a school year, provide a report to the council on education process and its results, as well as on the conditions of organising work in the educational institution. These provisions do not apply to an institution of higher education.

(3¹) The head of an educational institution has a duty to ensure the access for the educational institution to the library, information and career development support services.

(4) Only a person who has the relevant education and the necessary professional qualifications is entitled to work as a head of an educational institution. A person who has a higher pedagogical education or a higher and pedagogical education is entitled to work as a head of a general basic or general secondary educational institution, as well as a person who has a higher education who is acquiring a pedagogical education.

(4¹) Professional activity of heads of State and local government educational institutions (except institutions of higher education and colleges) is assessed in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet. The results of assessing heads of State and local government educational institutions are used as the basis for a decision on compliance of the head of the educational institution with the office held, and they may be taken into account in performing financial stimulation of the head of the educational institution.

(5) The designations of heads of educational institutions are as follows:

1) head - pre-school educational institutions;

2) director - basic education, secondary education institutions, colleges, professional orientation, interest education institutions;

3) rector - institutions of higher education.

[10 May 2001; 5 July 2001; 20 September 2001; 16 June 2009; 4 March 2010; 9 July 2013]

Section 31. Council of an Educational Institution

(1) The council of an educational institution is a collegial institution of a pre-school, basic education, secondary education or vocationally oriented educational institution, in which the following persons are operating:

1) representatives delegated by educatees, except educatees in pre-school educational programmes;

2) representatives delegated by parents of educatees (persons who exercise custody);

3) representatives delegated by teachers and other employees of the educational institution.

(2) Representatives of parents (persons who exercise custody) shall be in majority in the council of the educational institution. This provision shall not apply to the council of evening (shift) secondary school. Representatives of parents (persons who exercise custody) shall be elected by a meeting of parents of the educational institution by majority of votes. An employee of the educational institution may not be delegated in the council as a representative of parents (persons who exercise custody). The head of the council of the educational institution shall be elected from amongst parents (persons who exercise custody). The head of the educational institution and a representative of the founder of the educational institution may be included in the composition of the council.

(3) The council of the educational institution:

1) shall provide proposals for the development of the educational institution;

2) shall participate in discussing the educational process and its results and provide proposals for improving the quality of education in the educational institution;

3) shall provide proposals in issues related to the rights and obligations of educatees and employees of the educational institution;

4) shall provide proposals to the head of the educational institution regarding work organisation of the institution, budget allocation and implementation of educational programmes;

5) is entitled to decide on which individual study accessories referred to in Section 1, Clause 12.⁴, Sub-clause "k" of this Law are ensured by parents of educatees (persons who exercise custody);

6) shall solve organisational issues within its competence, including issues related to events organised by the educational institution;

7) shall ensure co-operation of the educational institution with the society;

8) shall inform regarding its activities and decisions taken in accordance with the procedures laid down in the regulatory enactment governing the work of the council of the educational institution;

9) is entitled to create interest groups and institutions [of parents (persons who exercise custody), educatees], involving educatees and their parents (persons who exercise custody) of the respective educational institution therein;

10) shall fulfil other obligations laid down in the regulatory enactment governing the work of the council of the educational institution and in other laws and regulations.

(4) The council of the educational institution shall operate in accordance with the regulatory enactment governing operation of the council of the educational institution, which is issued by the council itself, harmonising it with the head of the educational institution.

[9 July 2013]

Chapter IV
Guidelines for State Pre-school Education, State Education Standards and Educational Programmes

[1 December 2009]

Section 32. State Education Standard

(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 mandatory education content;

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

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

(3) The State education standard shall include model educational programmes corresponding to the respective education standard, except model vocational education programmes and model academic education programmes.

[15 March 2012; 9 July 2013]

Section 33. Educational Programmes

(1) An educational programme is a document governing the educational activity of an educational institution or another institution determined in this Law, by which, in accordance with the educational level, the type of education, the target group and the State education standard or the guidelines for the State pre-school education, the following shall be determined:

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

2) requirements for previously acquired education of the educates (except pre-school educational programmes);

3) educational content as a unified aggregate of subjects of study or course contents (except pre-school educational programmes);

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 guidelines for the State pre-school education or the State education standards and norms, co-ordinating such with the founder of the institution.

(3) An educational programme shall be accredited in accordance with procedures stipulated 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; 5 July 2001; 1 December 2009; 9 July 2013]

Section 34. Subjects of Study or Course Syllabi

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

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

Section 35. Evaluation of Acquired Education

(1) The basic principles for the evaluation of the acquired education shall be laid down in the guidelines for the State pre-school education, the basic criteria and procedures shall be laid down 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 the acquisition of professional qualifications shall be determined by the Professional Education Law and the Law On Institutions of Higher Education.

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

[1 December 2009; 4 March 2010]

Part V
Types of Educational Programmes and Implementation Thereof

Section 36. Implementation of Educational Programmes

(1) Educational programmes are implemented at an educational institution, association, foundation, craftsperson workshop, studio or unit of the National Armed Forces, the tasks of which include implementation of adult educational programmes. 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; 9 July 2013]

Section 37. Implementation of Educational Programmes in Respect of Time

(1) The implementation term shall be laid down 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 educational programmes;

5) interest-related educational programmes.

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

1) educational programmes for ethnic minorities;

2) special educational programmes;

3) social correction educational programmes;

4) adult educational programmes;

5) professional orientation educational programmes.

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

[5 July 2001]

Section 39. Educational Programmes Register

(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, which is a component of the State Education Information System.

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

[4 March 2010; 15 March 2012]

Section 40. General Educational Programmes

(1) General educational programmes shall ensure the overall development of mental and physical capabilities of educatees, and prepare them for continuing education, work 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; 15 March 2012]

Section 41. Educational Programmes for Ethnic Minorities

(1) Educational programmes for ethnic minorities shall be drawn up by an educational institution selecting any of the model educational programmes included in the guidelines for the State pre-school education or in the respective State educational standards.

(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) [15 March 2012]

[1 December 2009; 4 March 2010; 15 March 2012]

Section 42. Special Educational Programmes

(1) A person with special needs may acquire special education at an educational institution, if it ensures that such person has the opportunity to acquire an education in such institution 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.

[5 July 2001]

Section 43. Social Correction 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.

Section 44. Professional Educational Programmes

(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 Law On Institutions of Higher Education 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]

Section 45. Academic Educational Programmes

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

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

[11 May 2000]

Section 46. Adult Educational Programmes

(1) Adult education may be offered in formal and non-formal educational programmes.

(2) The procedures for the implementation of formal adult educational programmes shall be determined by this Law, the Vocational Education Law, the Institutions of Law On Institutions of Higher Education and other regulatory enactments.

(3) Non-formal adult educational programmes shall determine the content of such programmes and the conformity thereof to with the interests of the State and of 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.

(4) [4 March 2010]

(5) Educational institutions, as well as units of the National Armed Forces, the tasks of which include implementation of adult educational programmes, are entitled to implement non-formal adult education programmes without obtaining a licence, but other legal persons and natural persons which are not registered in the Educational Institution Register - after receipt of a licence from the local government.

(6) Adult education may be financed from:

1) State and local government budgets;

2) employer funds;

3) educatee funds;

4) donations and gifts;

5) other funds.

[5 July 2001; 4 March 2010; 9 July 2013]

Section 47. Interest-related Educational Programmes

(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 are entitled to implement interest-related educational programmes without the receipt of a licence.

(3) After the receipt of a relevant licence from the local government, other legal persons and natural persons not registered in the Educational Institution Register are also entitled to implement interest-related educational programmes.

(4) [11 May 2000]

[11 May 2000; 4 March 2010]

Section 47.¹ Professional Orientation Educational Programmes

(1) Professional orientation education is voluntary. The educational institution shall develop professional orientation educational programmes.

(2) The procedures for the implementation of professional orientation educational programmes shall be determined by the Professional Education Law. For the implementation of professional orientation educational programmes a relevant licence shall be obtained.

[5 July 2001; 20 September 2001; 4 March 2010]

Chapter VI
Teachers and Educatees

Section 48. Right to Work as a Teacher

(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 a teacher. These requirements shall not apply to non-formal adult education.

(2) A certificate shall be obtained at the State Service of Education Quality for commencement of a pedagogical private practice.

(3) All teachers working at educational institutions and private practices are registered in the Teacher Register. The Teacher Register is a component of the State Education Information System.

(4) The requirements for education and qualification of teachers of institutions of higher education and colleges shall be determined by the Law On Institutions of Higher Education.

[11 May 2000; 16 June 2009; 4 March 2010; 15 March 2012]

Section 49. Acquisition of Education and Professional Qualifications and Improvement of Professional Competence of Teachers

[9 July 2013]

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

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

(3) Improvement of professional competence of a teacher shall be achieved in the form of self-education and in institutions that implement relevant further educational programmes.

(4) [11 May 2000]

[11 May 2000; 9 July 2013]

Section 49.¹ Quality Assessment of Professional Activity of Teachers

(1) A teacher whose pedagogical experience is not less than one year and who participates in implementation of general educational programmes, including in the pre-school education level of general educational programmes, in the basic education or secondary education level of vocational education programmes, in implementation of vocationally oriented education or interest education programmes, has the right to, not less than once every five years, receive a quality assessment of professional activity of a teacher.

(2) On the basis of the quality assessment of professional activity of a teacher, a teacher is awarded one of five quality levels of professional activity of a teacher, which are awarded:

1) the first, second and third quality level of professional activity of a teacher - by an educational institution, co-ordinating with the local government in the administrative territory of which the educational institution is located;

2) the fourth quality level of professional activity of a teacher - by the local government in the administrative territory of which the educational institution is located, co-ordinating with the Ministry of Education and Science;

3) the fifth quality level of professional activity of a teacher - by the Ministry of Education and Science.

(3) The institutions referred to in Paragraph two of this Section shall take a decision to award the level of quality of professional activity of a teacher within one year from the day of receiving the application of the teacher.

(4) The conditions of this Section shall not apply to teachers who participate in implementation of programmes of higher education in colleges and institutions of higher education.

[9 July 2013]

Section 50. Restrictions in Regard to Working as a Teacher

The following persons may not work as teachers:

1) a person who has been punished for committing an intentional criminal offence (regardless of the criminal record having been set aside or extinguished), except the case when after setting aside or extinguishing the criminal record an institution determined by the Cabinet, having evaluated whether it does not harm the interests of educatees, has permitted that such person works as a teacher who has been punished for an intentional criminal offence or a less serious crime. The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which it shall be evaluated whether the permission for such person to work as a teacher will not harm the interests of educatees;

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 stipulated 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 teachers working at educational institutions or branches thereof founded by foreign states;

4) a person who has been deprived, by a court decision, of the right of custody.

[11 May 2000; 4 March 2010; 5 July 2012]

Section 51. General Responsibilities of Teachers

(1) The general responsibilities of a teacher in the educational process shall be as follows:

1) to participate creatively in the implementation of the relevant educational programmes with due responsibility;

2) to form the attitude of an educatee towards himself or herself, others, work, nature, culture, society and country, to raise upright, honourable and responsible people - patriots of Latvia;

3) to observe the norms of pedagogical professional ethics;

4) to improve their professional competence;

5) to observe the rights of an educatee;

6) to co-operate with the family of an educatee in educational matters;

7) to participate in the improvement of educational process and in the council of an educational institution;

8) to perform other duties laid down in regulatory enactments.

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

[11 May 2000; 4 March 2010; 15 March 2012; 9 July 2013]

Section 52. Rights of Teachers

Teachers have the following rights:

1) to participate in the council 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 stipulated 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 teacher has principal employment;

5) to receive and use the informative and material provision necessary for the implementation of an educational programme;

6) to receive public support for the implementation of an educational programme.

[11 May 2000; 4 March 2010; 9 July 2013]

Section 53. Work Remuneration of Teachers

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

(1¹) Work remuneration for a teacher the quality of whose professional activity has been assessed in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 49.¹ of this Law shall be determined according to the criteria referred to in Paragraph one of this Section and also according to the awarded level of quality of professional activity of the teacher.

(2) The work remuneration for one full-time workload for the teacher with the appropriate professional qualifications shall be not less than the work remuneration specified in the schedule for increase in work remuneration of teachers approved by the Cabinet in the relevant period of time.

[11 November 1999; 16 December 2006; 9 July 2013]

Section 54. Obligations of an Educatee

[4 March 2010]

An educatee has the following obligations:

1) to acquire basic educational programme;

2) to observe the by-law or the constitution and the internal procedure regulations of the educational institution and not discredit the educational institution by his or her behaviour;

3) to treat the State of Latvia, the Constitution, history, society, State symbols thereof and the Latvian language with respect;

4) to observe the rights and interests of teachers, educatees and other persons;

5) not to allow emotional and physical violence;

6) not to endanger the health, safety and life of himself or herself or of other persons;

7) to be polite at an educational institution and outside it;

8) to wear clothes complying with the internal procedure regulations at an educational institution;

9) to participate in cleaning up and arranging of the environment of an educational institution.

[4 March 2010]

Section 55. Rights of an Educatee

[4 March 2010]

An educatee has the following rights:

1) the acquisition of pre-school education, basic education and secondary education paid by the State or local government;

2) to freely express and defend his or her views and opinions during the educational and training process, not insulting the dignity and honour of other persons;

3) to use the premises, laboratories, equipment, devices, cultural, sports and medical objects and inventory, schoolbooks, other literature necessary for the educational process, teaching resources and electronic teaching resources of an educational institution, as well as receive library, information and career development support services during the educational process in accordance with the procedures laid down in the internal procedure regulations;

4) to receive scholarships, credits, benefits, discounts, as well as grants for the use of public transport in accordance with the procedures laid down in regulatory enactments and material assistance of another type;

5) to receive at the educational institution and the organised events thereof prophylactic health care, except prophylactic examinations included in the prophylactic examination programme provided for in the regulatory enactments regarding organisation of health care and financing thereof, and emergency medical assistance;

6) to participate in the improvement of educational process and in the council of an educational institution;

7) to the protection of personal belongings at an educational institution;

8) to safe circumstances for life and health at an education institution and the organised events thereof;

9) to implement other rights laid down in regulatory enactments.

[11 May 2000; 5 July 2001; 4 March 2010; 9 July 2013]

Section 56. Rights of Orphans and Children without Parental Care to Acquisition and Improvement of Education

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

(2) Orphans and children left without parental care shall be educated in the official language. Orphan and children left without parental care shall continue their education in the official language or the language by which it has been commenced in a Latvian state or local government educational institution.

(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.

[5 February 2004; 4 March 2010]

Section 57. Rights of Parents (Persons who Exercise Custody) in the Provision of Education of Children

Parents (persons who exercise custody) have the following rights:

1) to choose the educational institution in which the child will acquire education;

2) to participate in the improvement of educational process and in the council of an educational institution;

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 provide and receive information regarding issues related to the training and teaching of the child;

5) to propose the performance of inspections at an educational institution;

6) to exercise other rights laid down in regulatory enactments for the provision of the education of the child.

[4 March 2010; 9 July 2013]

Section 58. Obligations of Parents (Persons who Exercise Custody)

[4 March 2010]

(1) Parents (persons who exercise custody) have the following obligations:

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

2) to co-operate with the educational institution in which the child acquires education, with the teachers and other persons involved in the educational process;

3) to observe the lawful rights and interests of children, teachers and other persons;

4) to inform the head of the educational institution regarding the state of health of the child and other circumstances, if they may be significant for the educational process.

(2) The parents (persons who exercise custody) shall be responsible for the child acquiring mandatory education.

(3) Parents (persons who exercise custody) have a duty to ensure, within the limits of their financial possibilities, the individual study accessories referred to in Section 1, Clause 12.⁴, Sub-clause "k" of this Law for education of his or her child.

(4) The decision of the council of an educational institution referred to in Section 31, Paragraph three, Clause 5 of this Law is binding on parents (persons who exercise custody).

[4 March 2010; 9 July 2013]

Chapter VII
Financial and Material Resources of the Educational System

Section 59. Sources of Financing of the Educational System

(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 laid down in this Law.

(2) Private educational institutions shall be financed by the founders thereof. The State shall participate in the financing of work remuneration for teachers of private educational institutions in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet, if the pre-school educational programmes for children from the age of five years until commencement of the acquisition of basic education, accredited basic education and general secondary educational programmes are implemented in these educational institutions. The State shall participate in the financing of work remuneration for teachers employed in vocationally oriented educational programmes implemented in accredited private vocationally oriented educational institutions. Local governments may participate in the financing of work remuneration for teachers of private educational institutions.

(2¹) The purchase of study literature, methodological aids, additional literature (reference literature) and digital study aids and resources (electronic editions) corresponding to the guidelines for the State pre-school education, State basic education and general secondary education standards in private educational institutions shall be financed from the State budget funds and earmarked grants from the State budget.

(3) Special educational institutions, special educational classes and groups in general educational institutions, as well as boarding schools, shall be financed from the State budget in accordance with procedures stipulated 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;

3) from other income.

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

(6) The State shall financially support and a local government, in accordance with the procedures specified thereby and in compliance with the criteria specified thereby, may financially support adult education by financing non-formal adult educational programmes, as well as by supporting employers in the additional education of employees.

[11 November 1999; 11 May 2000; 14 September 2005; 13 November 2008; 1 December 2009; 4 March 2010; 15 December 2011; 9 July 2013]

Section 60. Procedures for Financing Educational Institutions

(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, stipulated 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;

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 work remuneration of teachers involved in the implementation of an educational programme, for the provision the educational institutions with teaching materials, economic expenditure thereof, as well as for other necessary expenditures. Work remuneration of teachers in State or local government educational institutions, including work remuneration of teachers employed in educating children from the age of five years, shall be provided from the State budget resources and from State budget earmarked grants. The work remuneration of other teachers implementing pre-school educational programmes in local government educational institutions, if it is not otherwise provided for in other laws, shall be provided from local government budget. Local governments may participate in the financing of work remuneration of teachers of educational programmes implemented by the State and local government educational institutions. Preparation and publication of teaching materials in conformity with the guidelines for the State pre-school education and the State education standards shall be financed within the amount of the funds granted by the annual State budget.

(3¹) The purchase of study literature, methodological aids, additional literature (reference literature) and digital study aids and resources (electronic editions) corresponding to the guidelines for the State pre-school education, State basic education and general secondary education standards in State and local government educational institutions shall be financed from the State budget funds and earmarked grants from the 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 and used in accordance with the approved estimate. Financing of educational institutions shall be planned in compliance with the number of educatees at an institution and the minimum of costs for the implementation of the educational programme per one educatee.

(6) Income gained as a result of economic activity of educational institutions and of paid services provided thereby and other types of own revenue shall not affect the amount of State budget grant from the general income 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 relevant 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;

4) material incentives for teachers and educatees and for work remuneration of teachers implementing professional basic education, professional secondary education or professional orientation educational programmes in sports, music and arts in the State or local government educational institutions.

(8) Income gained as a result of paid services provided by State and local government educational institutions and other types of own revenue shall be used for the remuneration and material incentive of teachers and other personnel, the development of the State or local government educational institution and the covering of maintenance expenditures. Money balances of paid services and of other types of own revenue at the end of a financial year shall remain at the disposal of the relevant State or local government educational institution for the next financial year and they shall not be directed for other purposes.

(9) The procedures for the financing of institutions of higher education and colleges shall be determined by the Law On Institutions of Higher Education.

[5 August 1999; 11 May 2000; 5 July 2001; 16 June 2009; 1 December 2009; 4 March 2010; 9 July 2013]

Section 61. Support for Educational System

The accumulation, management, supervision and distribution of the State budget resources and local government budget resources, gifts of legal or natural persons of Latvia and foreign states, donations and other resources granted for the implementation of support for the educational system shall be provided in accordance with the procedures laid down in the law.

[16 June 2009]

Section 62. Material Resources of Educational Institutions and Education Support Institutions

(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.

Transitional provisions

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. Section 53 of this Law shall come into force on 1 September 2004. Up to 1 September 2004 work remuneration for teachers shall be determined in accordance with Cabinet Regulation No. 73 of 15 February 2000, Regulations regarding Teacher Work Remuneration.

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

1) on 1 September 2004 -

a) with respect to teachers with higher education who in the 2000/2001 academic year have already implemented general educational programmes and continue to do so up to the coming into force of this provision, and

b) with respect to teachers who have documents regarding pedagogical secondary education issued by State education institutions or an appropriate professional secondary education in the relevant teaching subject (study course) and additional pedagogical education and who in the 2000/2001 academic year have implemented pre-school and basic educational programmes, as well as continue to do so up to the coming into force of this provision, except for the teachers referred to in Paragraph 5.¹ of these Transitional Provisions; and

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

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

5.¹ Teachers whose education does not conform to the requirements of Section 48, Paragraph one of this Law, but who have documents regarding pedagogical secondary education issued by State education institutions or an appropriate professional secondary education in the relevant teaching subject (study course) and additional pedagogical education and for whom on 1 September 2004 the reaching of the State specified pensionable age is left five years or less, have the right to continue to work as an teacher up to the end of the academic year thereof in which the State specified pensionable age is reached.

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 - in State and local government general secondary educational institutions, which implement minority educational programmes, commencing in the tenth grade, studies shall take place in the official language in conformity with the State general secondary education standard; in State and local government professional educational institutions commencing in the first academic year shall take place in the official language in conformity with the State professional standard or the State professional secondary education standard. The State general secondary education standard, the State professional standard and the State professional secondary education standard shall specify that the acquisition of the content of studies in the official language shall be ensured for not less than three-fifths of the total teaching hour load in the academic year, including foreign languages, and shall ensure with the minority language, the acquisition of identity and culture associated studies content in the minority 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 Teacher 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, stipulated by the Cabinet, shall come into force on 1 September 2001.

14. The Cabinet shall by 31 December 2001 develop the procedures by which educatees are ensured prophylactic health care and access to emergency medical assistance in educational institutions.

15. Amendments to Section 4 of this Law regarding the acquisition of basic education by five-year old and six-year old children and to Section 60, Paragraph three regarding ensuring the work remuneration of teachers from State budget resources and from State budget earmarked grants in State or local government educational institutions for the teaching of five-year old and six-year old children shall come into force on 1 September 2002.

16. Interest educational programmes, which on 1 September 2001 are already implemented in local government educational institutions (music, art schools and sport educational institutions), from 1 January 2002 shall be considered to be professional orientation educational programmes and shall receive State budget earmarked funds for work remuneration of teachers commencing with 1 January 2002. This provision shall not apply to the referred to educational institution implemented interest educational programmes general physical preparation groups and theatre interest educational programmes.

17. The provisions of Section 47.¹, Paragraph two of this Law regarding obtaining licences for the implementation of professional orientation educational programmes shall come into force on 1 March 2002. In order that in 2003 the implementation of professional orientation educational programmes continues and receives State budget earmarked funds for work remuneration of teachers, the licence for the implementation of professional orientation educational programmes must be obtained up to 1 September 2002.

18. Samples of professional orientation educational programmes shall be approved by the Minister for Education and Science by 1 March 2002.

19. Accredited music and art schools, which on 1 September 2001 already implement interest educational programmes, which from 1 January 2002 are to be professional orientation educational programmes, shall be recognised as accredited educational institutions up to end of the time period for the specific accreditation.

20. Amendments to Section 30, Paragraph four of this Law regarding the concurrent accreditation of the educational institution and the head of the State or local government basic educational or secondary educational institution shall come into force on 1 September 2003.

21. The educatees of State or local government educational institutions who on 1 September 2001 have commenced study in interest educational programmes, which from 1 January 2002 are to be professional orientation educational programmes, after the acquisition of such programmes shall receive a certificate regarding the acquisition of a professional orientation education.

[11 November 1999; 11 May 2000; 10 May 2001; 5 July 2001; 20 September 2001; 5 February 2004]

22. Amendments to Section 1, Clause 9 (regarding supplementation of the term "educational administration institution" with a word "structural unit"), Section 17, Paragraph three (regarding determination of functions of city local governments and municipality local governments), as well as the new wording of Section 18 (regarding ensuring of functions of local governments in the field of education) of this Law shall come into force on 1 July 2009.

[13 November 2008]

23. In 2009 remuneration (work remuneration, bonuses, monetary prizes, benefits, etc.) determined in State and local government authorities in accordance with this Law shall be determined in accordance with the Law On Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Local Government Authorities in 2009.

[12 December 2008]

24. The Cabinet shall, until 1 January 2010, issue the guidelines for the State pre-school education determined in Section 14, Clause 18.¹ of this Law.

[1 December 2009]

25. In 2011 bonuses shall not be paid to the teachers of educational institutions established by the State or local governments, but their material incentive shall be ensured and benefits shall be disbursed in accordance with the Law On Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Local Government Authorities.

[1 December 2009; 16 December 2010]

26. The Cabinet shall issue the regulations provided for in amendments to this Law, which come in force on 26 March 2010, until 31 August 2010.

[4 March 2010]

27. Until issue of the Cabinet regulations provided for in Paragraph 26 of the Transitional Provisions of this Law, but not later than until 31 August 2010, the following Cabinet Regulations shall be applied insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law:

1) Cabinet Regulation No. 773 of 18 October 2005, Procedures for the Acquisition of Education and Professional Improvement for Vocational Education Teachers;

2) Cabinet Regulation No. 570 of 28 August 2007, Procedures for the Professional Improvement for General Education Teachers and Interest-related Teachers; and

3) Cabinet Regulation No. 264 of 15 April 2008, Regulations Regarding Procedures for State Examinations in Accredited Educational Programmes.

[4 March 2010]

28. Amendments to Section 14, Clause 26 of this Law regarding procedures by which the State shall finance professional orientation educational programmes shall come into force on 1 January 2012.

[4 March 2010]

29. Amendments to Section 27 of this Law regarding accreditation for six years of educational institutions which implement basic and secondary level educational programmes shall come into force on 1 January 2012.

[4 March 2010]

30. Section 59, Paragraph six of this Law in relation to financial support of local governments to adult education shall come into force on 1 January 2013, but in relation to State financial support to adult education - on 1 January 2015.

[15 November 2012]

31. In 2012 teachers in educational institutions established by the State and local governments shall not be disbursed bonuses, but teachers shall be stimulated financially and they shall be disbursed benefits in accordance with the Law On Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Local Government Authorities.

[15 December 2011]

32. After entering into force of amendments made to Section 14, Clause 18 of this Law (regarding the guidelines for educational development for the following seven years) the Cabinet shall submit the first guidelines for educational development for the following seven years for approval to the Saeima for the time period from 2014 to 2020.

[15 March 2012]

33. Until 31 August 2012 the Cabinet shall draw up and submit to the Saeima the necessary amendments to the Protection of the Rights of the Child Law in order to harmonise it with the amendments made to Section 50, Clause 1 of this Law (in relation to the prohibition to work as a teacher to a person who has been punished for committing an intentional criminal offence).

[5 July 2012]

34. In 2013 a severance benefit shall be disbursed to teachers in educational institutions founded by the State and local governments in accordance with the Law On Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Local Government Authorities.

[15 November 2012]

35. The levels of quality of professional activity of a teacher awarded to teachers the quality of whose professional activity has been assessed during the time period from 1 September 2009 to 31 May 2014 on the basis of the criteria and according to the procedures laid down in the project of the European Social Fund "Raising Teachers' Competitiveness during Optimisation of Education System" are considered equivalent to the levels of quality of professional activity of a teacher which have been determined by the Cabinet in accordance with Section 14, Clause 37 of this Law.

[9 July 2013]

36. The Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in Section 14, Clauses 12.¹, 12.², 15 and 36 of this Law until 30 August 2013, and the regulations referred to in Section 14, Clause 37 of this Law - until 31 May 2014.

[9 July 2013]

37. Section 59, Paragraph 2.¹ and Section 60, Paragraph 3.¹ of this Law shall come into force on 1 September 2013.

[9 July 2013]

Informative Reference to European Union Directives

This Law includes legal norms arising from:

1) Council Directive 77/486/EEC of 25 July 1977 on the education of the children of migrant workers;

2) Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin;

3) Directive 2002/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2002 amending Council Directive 76/207/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions (Text with EEA relevance);

4) Council Directive 2003/9/EC of 27 January 2003 laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers;

5) Council Directive 2004/83/EC of 29 April 2004 on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection and the content of the protection granted;

6) Council Directive 2004/114/EC of 13 December 2004 on the conditions of admission of third-country nationals for the purposes of studies, pupil exchange, unremunerated training or voluntary service;

7) Directive 2006/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment and occupation (recast); and

8) Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals.

[4 March 2010]

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

President G. Ulmanis

Riga, 17 November 1998

¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2015 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)