Overview of the General Education System

The Latvian education system has experienced four significant changes throughout its national history, and these initiatives have been influenced by foreign rule, national independence, Soviet occupation, or post-1991 democratic reform. German missionaries introduced religious education during the 13th-18th century, with parish schools began to teach primary instruction in Latvian to the rural population. After independence in 1918, the Latvian government then developed a national education system encouraging instruction in Latvian, with secular programs and compulsory primary education under the 1920 Education Law and 1922 Constitution. Under Soviet occupation (1940–1990), education was centralized, Russian replaced Latvian in urban schools, and ideological content was included in curricula, but Latvian-language schools continued to function. In 1991, after regaining their independence, Latvia has redirected its system towards European integration by restoring Latvian as medium of instruction, decentralizing governance, aligning with the Bologna Process, and advancing inclusive education and digitalization.

Latvian is the official language of the Republic of Latvia and is mandated for use in government, legislation, education, and public communication under the Official Language Law (2000). It has been the sole language of instruction in public schools since independence, and reforms in 2022 imposed a full transition to Latvian for all educational institutions by 2025. Latvian also dominates media and legal proceedings, with these policies grounded in national law.

Education policy, curriculum standards, teacher training and school accreditation is set by the Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Latvia (Izglītības un zinātnes ministrija). It cooperates closely with the key partner agencies such as the State Education Development Agency (VIAA) in charge for EU-funded programs and international mobility; Academic Information Centre (AIC) responsible for the recognition of qualification and EQF referencing; National Centre for Education (VISC), responsible for curricula development and national exams. Together, these bodies ensure coordinated implementation of national and European education priorities.

The Latvian educational system consists of four levels: pre-school, basic, secondary and higher education. It is governed by national legislation and also conforms to European frameworks. Pre-school is mandatory from the age of five. Basic education lasts nine years and results in the Apliecība par vispārējo Pamatizglītību or Apliecība par Profesionālo Pamatizglītību. Secondary education lasts three years and may be general or vocational and leads to Atestāts par Vispārējo Vidējo Izglītību or Diploms par Profesionālo Vidējo Izglītību. Higher education includes short cycle, bachelor, master and doctoral studies with diplomas corresponding to EQF levels 5-8.