Every citizen of the Republic of Latvia and every person who has received a permanent residence permit, as well as citizens of European Union member states who have been issued a temporary residence permit, and their children, have equal right to acquire education.
Preparation of five- and six year old children for the acquisition of basic education, the acquisition of basic education or continuation of the acquisition of basic education until the age of 18, is compulsory.
Fees for the acquisition of pre-school, basic and secondary education at an institution established by the state or local governments are covered from the state budget or local government budgets. A private education institution may determine the fees for the acquisition of education.
Day care of pre-school age children will be ensured in municipal kindergartens, private kindergartens and by utilizing Day care of pre-school age children nanny services. In the municipal kindergartens the children will be admitted to vacant positions according to a wait–list and parents will only cover feeding expenses. Utilizing of private kindergartens is based on tuition, but nanny services are paid services.
5-7-year-old children have to participate in pre-school programmes provided by general education establishments or kindergartens as a part of the compulsory basic education.
9-year single structure basic education is compulsory for all children from the age of 7. Pupils, who have received evaluation in all subjects of the compulsory education curriculum, national tests and examinations, receive a Certificate of the basic education and a statement of records that qualify them and serve as a screening criterion for admission for further education and training in secondary level educational programmes.
The compulsory curriculum of 3-year general secondary schools is determined. A Certificate of the secondary education is awarded to all students, who have received a positive assessment in all subjects according to the chosen profile and the national examinations and a certificate of the passed centralized exams and their scores, providing the right to continue education in any higher-level education programme.
International Schools in Latvia
- International School of Latvia (ISL) – an independent, coeducational, non-profit, college preparatory day school. ISL offers an education for children of all nationalities from 3 to 18 years of age.
- International School of Riga (ISR) – an International Baccalaureate World School and Cambridge International Centre.
- École Française Jules Verne de Riga – a member of the network of the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE); the school is accredited by both the French Ministry of Education and the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science.
- King's College – provides children and young people with a broad British education in an international setting.
- Private German International School - DEUTSCHE SCHULE RIGA (DSR) – a private international school, located in the city center; students who attend the DSR learn German, English, and a third language.
For detailed information please consult:
- Ministry of Education and Science - is responsible for education, science, sports, youth and state language policies in Latvia.