Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centra tulkojums
Text consolidated by Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre) with amending laws of:
5 August 1999;
23 September 1999;
20 June 2000;
14 September 2000;
31 October 2002;
23 September 2004.
If a whole or part of a section has been amended, the date of the amending law appears in square brackets at the end of the section. If a whole section, paragraph or clause has been deleted, the date of the deletion appears in square brackets beside the deleted section, paragraph or clause.
The Saeima has adopted and the President
has proclaimed the following Law:
General Education Law
Chapter I
General Provisions
Section 1. Terms Used in this Law
(1) Terms used in this Law correspond to those terms used in the Education Law if this Law does not specify otherwise.
(2) The following terms are used in this Law:
1) certificate of basic education – an educational document attesting to the completion of the basic educational programme;
2) diploma of general secondary education – an educational document attesting to the completion of the general secondary educational programme;
3) certificate – a document attesting to the completion of part of the basic education or general secondary education programme;
4) educational materials – the literature, visual and technical aids, materials and equipment necessary for the implementation of educational programmes;
5) subject – a well-grounded system of knowledge, skills and attitudes developed in conformity with a field of science, technology, and art and intended for acquisition according to a particular educational programme;
6) lesson (class) load – the number of lessons of regular attendance per week included in the educational programme;
7) pedagogical adjustment – an educational programme methodologically and organisationally adjusted to persons of mandatory educational age who need to improve upon their knowledge within the framework of the basic education programme;
8) social adjustment – an educational programme methodologically and organisationally adjusted to persons of mandatory educational age with socially deviant behaviour;
9) extended-day group – the possibility provided by an educational institution for students to receive pedagogical assistance and to spend their leisure time outside mandatory classes in an organised way;
10) report card - a document attesting to the achievements of a student in classes;
11) certificate of basic education or general secondary education – a document attesting to the achievements of a student in classes in which centralised examinations are organised at the end of the acquisition of the basic education or general secondary education programme;
12) centralised examination – an examination developed according to a special methodology and organised according to a single procedure at the national level for the assessment of the educational achievements of students in particular subjects at the conclusion of the basic education and general secondary education level; and
13) evaluation – an attestation of the level of knowledge and skills provided in an educational programme.
Section 2. Purpose of this Law
The purpose of this Law is to regulate the activities of persons in State and local government educational institutions and other persons involved in the process of implementation of general education, to specify their rights and duties, to create an environment for the development of a creative and comprehensively educated individual, as well as to create an environment for the uninterrupted continuation of the education of students, for the acquisition of a profession, and for an independent orientation in public and State life.
Section 3. Levels and Types of General Education
(1) General education shall be implemented at the following levels of general education:
1) pre-school education;
2) basic education; and
3) secondary education.
(2) Specific types of general education shall be the following:
1) special education;
2) social adjustment; and
3) pedagogical adjustment.
Chapter II
Organisation of General Education
Section 4. Competence of the Cabinet
The Cabinet shall:
1) specify the procedures for the licensing and accreditation of general education programmes;
2) establish, reorganise and dissolve State general educational institutions, as well as State special educational institutions upon the proposal of the Minister for Education and Science;
3) determine the minimum material and financial support of general educational institutions;
4) determine the procedures for financing boarding schools and special educational institutions;
5) determine the criteria and procedures for conferring and annulling the status of gymnasium and State gymnasium;
6) determine the criteria and procedures for the enrolment of students in boarding schools and special educational institutions;
7) determine the criteria and procedures for conferring the status of special education development centre to special educational institutions;
8) determine the competence of the pedagogical medical commissions of State and local governments;
9) determine the procedures for the exemption of students from the State examinations; and
10) perform other functions associated with general education specified in this Law and the Education Law.
[21 November 2002]
Section 5. Competence of the Ministry of Education and Science
The Ministry of Education and Science shall:
1) develop draft State general education standards, standards for subjects of study, as well as models for general educational programmes and subject programmes;
2) determine the time and procedures for the evaluation of educational achievements in conformity with the requirements of State general education standards every academic year;
3) determine the procedures for the evaluation of educational achievements in special educational institutions;
4) organise the development of the content and methodology of general education;
5) evaluate and approve once per year the educational literature to be utilised in the educational process;
6) determine the minimum and maximum allowable number of students in classes in general educational institutions, as well as in special educational institutions and social and pedagogical correction classes;
7) determine the procedures for educating a student suffering from a long-term illness outside the educational institution;
8) determine the beginning and end date of the school year and study semester;
9) organise the attestation of the heads of general educational institutions and the evaluation of the professional qualification of educators;
10) develop model by-laws of general educational institutions, including State gymnasiums;
11) approve the by-law of the State Pedagogical Medical Commission;
12) approve the by-law of the State Pre-school Educational Centre and organise the activities of this Centre;
13) approve the by-law of the State Special Education Centre and organise the activities of this Centre;
14) apportion additional financing from the State budget to the State gymnasiums;
15) approve the content and structure, as well as the requirements for the drawing up and record-keeping of documents necessary for the organisation of the educational process in general educational institutions (file of students, class register, summary register of educational achievements, State-recognised register of educational documents etc.);
16) approve the mandatory requirements for the enrolment of students in general educational institutions, with the exception of boarding schools and special educational institutions;
17) approve the requirements for moving students up into the next grade in general educational institutions; and
18) perform other functions prescribed by this Law and the Education Law.
[21 November 2002]
Section 6. Competence of Local Governments
The Education Law and other regulatory enactments regulate the competence of local governments in the implementation of general education.
Chapter III
General Educational Institution
Section 7. Founding, Reorganisation and Liquidation of a General Educational Institution
(1) The State, local governments, and other legal or natural persons may found a general educational institution.
(2) A general educational institution shall be reorganised and liquidated by its founder. A State or a local government general educational institution shall be reorganised and liquidated in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science.
Section 8. Legal Basis for the Activities of a General Educational Institution
The legal basis for the activities of a general educational institution shall be this law, the Education Law, other regulatory enactments, as well as the by-law of the general educational institution.
Section 9. By-law of a General Educational Institution
The by-law of a general educational institution shall include:
1) the name and legal address of the educational institution;
2) the founder of the educational institution and the legal status of the founder;
3) the purposes, main directions of activity and tasks of the educational institution;
4) the educational programmes to be implemented in the educational institution;
5) the organisation of the educational process;
6) the rights and duties of students;
7) the rights and duties of teachers and other employees;
8) the establishment procedures and competence of the council of the educational institution;
9) the establishment procedures and competence of the self-government of the educational institution;
10) the establishment procedures and competence of the pedagogical council of the educational institution;
11) the procedures for accepting documents regulating the internal procedures of the educational institution;
12) the economic activity of the educational institution;
13) the sources and procedures for the financing of the educational institution;
14) the procedures for the reorganisation and liquidation of the educational institution;
15) the procedures for the accepting of the by-law of the educational institution and its amendments; and
16) other important regulations which are not in contradiction with this Law, the Education Law and other regulatory enactments.
Section 10. Activities of a General Educational Institution
(1) The basic task of a general educational institution shall be the implementation of general education programmes. A general educational institution shall implement one or several educational programmes.
(2) In conformity with this Law, the Education Law and other regulatory enactments, as well as the by-laws approved by the founders of the general educational institution, a general education institution shall independently:
1) organise and implement the educational process; and
2) select educational work methods and forms.
(3) A general educational institution is entitled to perform the following actions independently:
1) implement interest-related educational programmes, continuing education programmes and other educational programmes;
2) develop the internal rules of procedure of the institution;
3) provide catering services;
4) provide services for official accommodation facilities, boarding schools; and
5) perform economic activities and other types of activities if it does not interfere with the implementation of the general educational programme.
Section 11. Administration of a General Educational Institution
(1) A general educational institution shall be managed by the head of the institution.
(2) The head of a general educational institution shall be responsible for:
1) the implementation of educational programmes;
2) the provision of the educational institution with educators;
3) noting the special needs of students and their education in conformity with special educational programmes;
4) ensuring the operations of the educational institution and the execution of the tasks of the institution;
5) the rational utilisation of the financial and material resources of the educational institution; and
6) the compliance with the regulatory enactments in the operations of the educational institution.
(3) The head of a general educational institution shall be hired for the position and released thereof by the founder of the corresponding educational institution.
[21 July 2000]
Section 12. Pedagogical Council of an Educational Institution
(1) A pedagogical council shall be formed in basic educational and general educational institutions for dealing with the different problems of educational and pedagogical processes. A pedagogical council shall be presided over by the head of the educational institution and it shall include all educators employed in the educational institution and the medical practitioner of the educational institution. The pedagogical council shall make decisions by a majority vote. Meetings of the pedagogical council shall be convened not less frequently than once every six months and its procedures shall be recorded in the minutes.
(2) The pedagogical council shall:
1) perform an analysis of the educational process;
2) take decisions regarding moving students up into the next grade and informing the parents of students (persons who exercise parental authority) (hereinafter – parents);
3) take decisions about the dismissal of students from a general secondary educational programme;
4) propose the initiation of pedagogical and social adjustment programmes in the educational institution; and
5) take decisions on other issues related to educational and pedagogical activities.
(3) Decisions made by the pedagogical council shall be binding to the head of the educational institution in the cases referred to in Paragraph two, Clauses 2 and 3 of this Section. In other cases they shall be regarded as of a recommendatory nature.
[21 November 2002]
Section 13. Council of an Educational Institution
(1) A council of an educational institution shall be established in order to ensure the co-operation of the public, the local government and parents. It shall function in conformity with the by-law of the council, and it shall include:
1) the head of the educational institution;
2) representatives of educators;
3) representatives of local government;
4) the founder of the educational institution;
5) representatives of parents; and
6) representatives of students.
(2) Representatives of parents shall form the majority part of the council of the educational institution. The head of the council shall be elected from among the representatives of parents.
(3) The council of an educational institution shall:
1) formulate proposals for the development plan of the educational institution;
2) promote the operation of the support fund of the educational institution;
3) deal with managerial matters related to events organised by the educational institution;
4) conduct record-keeping of donations accepted by the educational institution, make decisions about their utilisation and issue a report to the general meeting of parents; and
5) perform other duties specified in the by-laws of the council.
Chapter IV
Content of General Education
Section 14. Documents Regulating General Education
Acquisition of a general education, the content and organisation thereof in conformity with the type, level and target group of education shall be specified by the following documents:
1) the State general education standard;
2) general education subject standards;
3) general education programmes; and
4) general education subject programmes.
Section 15. State General Education Standard
(1) The State general education standard shall determine:
1) the main purposes and tasks of general education programmes;
2) the mandatory content of general education; and
3) the basic principles and procedures for the evaluation of the education acquired by students.
(2) The State general education standard shall be mandatory for everyone who develops and implements general education programmes, with the exception of pre-school education programmes.
[21 November 2002]
Section 16. General Education Subject Standard
The subject standard shall determine:
1) the main purposes and tasks of a subject of study;
2) the mandatory content of a subject;
3) the basic requirements regarding the acquisition of a subject; and
4) the forms and methodological techniques for evaluating educational achievements.
Section 17. General Education Programme
(1) A general education programme shall be a document which, in conformity with the Education Law, Cabinet regulations and the State general education standard, shall specify:
1) the main purposes and tasks of an educational programme;
2) the content of education;
3) the implementation plan for an educational programme;
4) the requirements in relation to a previously acquired education;
5) the criteria and procedures for evaluating an acquired education; and
6) the evaluation and justification of the personnel and financial and material resources necessary for the implementation of an educational programme.
(2) General educational programmes shall be developed by its implementers, taking into consideration the classification of educational programmes.
[21 November 2002]
Section 18. Licensing, Accreditation and Registration of General Education Programmes
(1) A general educational institution is entitled to implement only licensed general education programmes.
(2) General education programmes implemented by an educational institution shall be approved by the head and the founder of the institution. The licensing, accreditation and registration of general educational programmes in the Educational Programme Register shall be performed in conformity with the procedures specified in the Education Law.
(3) If an educational institution implements a general education programme which corresponds to the programme model developed by the Ministry of Education and Science, a licence shall be issued for the implementation of such programme. In this case, the educational institution shall indicate the programme model developed by the Ministry of Education and Science, which it has selected.
[21 November 2002]
Section 19. General Education Subject Programme
(1) A subject programme shall be a component of the general educational programme and shall include:
1) the goals and objectives of the subject;
2) the content of the subject;
3) the plan for acquiring the contents and the period of time anticipated for the acquisition of the subject;
4) the forms and methods for the evaluation of educational achievements; and
5) a list of the teaching materials and methods to be used for the acquisition of the contents of the subject.
(2) Educators are entitled to develop or select a subject programme from the models of subject programmes offered by the Ministry of Education and Science in conformity with the general education subject standard and the general education programme, which includes the programme of such subject.
[21 November 2002]
Chapter V
Pre-school Education
Section 20. Pre-school Education Programme
(1) The pre-school education programme shall ensure the preparation of a student for the acquisition of a basic education, comprising:
1) the development of individuality;
2) intellectual, physical and social development;
3) the development of initiative, inquisitiveness, independence and creative activity;
4) the strengthening of health;
5) psychological preparation for the commencement of the acquisition of a basic education; and
6) acquisition of the basic skills for using the official language.
(2) The pre-school education programme shall be acquired by children up to 7 years of age. Acquisition of the pre-school education programme may be prolonged or reduced by one year depending on the state of health and psychological preparedness of the student in conformity with the wishes of parents and the opinion of the family doctor.
[21 November 2002]
Section 21.1. Mandatory Preparation of a Child of Pre-school Age
(1) The preparation of five-year-old and six-year-old children for the acquisition of a basic education shall be mandatory.
(2) Local governments shall ensure the preparation of five-years-old and six-year-old children for the acquisition of a basic education in their administrative territory.
[21 November 2002]
Section 21. Mandatory Pre-school Education
[13 August 1999]
Section 22. Implementation of the Pre-school Education Programme
(1) The pre-school education programme shall be implemented in general pre-school educational institutions, pre-school groups, as well as in families. The pre-school education programme for children with special needs shall be implemented in special pre-school educational institutions and groups.
(2) The pre-school education programme for five-year-old and six-year-old children shall be implemented in pre-school educational institutions, special pre-school educational institutions, the preparatory groups of general educational institutions, as well as in families by receiving methodological support from the pre-school educational advisory centre of local governments.
[21 November 2002]
Section 23. State Pre-school Educational Centre
The State Pre-school Educational Centre shall be an institution subordinate to the Ministry of Education and Science, which shall develop the content of the pre-school education programme, the models of the pre-school education programme, as well as methodological recommendations regarding pre-school education for educators and parents who are implementing the mandatory preparation of five-year-old and six-year-old children for school.
[21 November 2002]
Section 24. Pre-school Educational Advisory Centres
(1) Pre-school educational advisory centres shall provide advisory and methodological aid to parents and pre-school educational institutions for the education of children of pre-school age and for the mandatory preparation of five-year-old and six-year-old children for school.
(2) The pre-school educational advisory centre shall be founded as a structural unit of a pre-school educational institution or as an independent educational support institution.
(3) The procedures according to which parents receive advisory and methodological aid from the pre-school educational advisory centre of a local government shall be determined by the local government.
Section 25. Provisions Regarding the Founding of a Pre-school Educational Institution
(1) A local government is entitled to found a pre-school educational institution for not less than 10 children of pre-school age who live in the administrative territory of the local government if it is requested by parents.
(2) A local government is entitled to found a special pre-school educational institution for not less than 8 children of pre-school age with special needs if it is requested by parents.
Section 26. Enrolment of Students in Pre-school Educational Institutions
(1) Students shall be enrolled in the general pre-school educational institutions of local governments in the order of the submission of the applications, in conformity with the provisions of the Education Law.
(2) Students shall be enrolled in and discharged from special pre-school educational institutions and groups according to procedures specified by the Cabinet.
(3) The procedures for the enrolment of students in private pre-school educational institutions shall be determined by the founder.
(4) Pre-school educational institutions shall not be permitted to organise entrance examinations.
[1 September 2001]
Section 27. Number of Students in a Group of a General Pre-school Educational Institution
(1) The number of students in a group of a general pre-school educational institution shall be specified by the Ministry of Education and Science.
(2) The number of students in private pre-school educational institutions shall be specified by the founder, not exceeding the limit for the number of students in a group specified by the Ministry of Education and Science.
Section 28. Lesson Load of Pre-school Aged Students
The total duration of lessons per one day for pre-school aged students shall not exceed:
1) 15 minutes for children up to two years of age;
2) 25 minutes for children from three to four years of age;
3) 30 minutes for children from four to five years of age;
4) 45 minutes for children from five to six years of age; and
5) 120 minutes for children from five to seven years of age.
[21 November 2002]
Chapter VI
Basic Education
Section 29. Basic Educational Institutions
(1) Basic educational institutions are educational institutions that implement basic educational programmes. Depending on the structure of the educational institution and the organisation of the educational process at the educational institution, the types of educational institutions shall be as follows:
1) elementary school; and
2) primary school.
(2) Basic education may also be acquired in a vocational school, a special educational institution, an evening (shift) school, a boarding school, a social or pedagogical correction educational institution or class or any other educational institution implementing basic education programmes.
Section 30. Implementation of the Basic Education Programme
(1) Basic education programmes shall be implemented within a time period of 9 years.
(2) The procedures by which the period of implementation of the basic education programme may be reduced or prolonged shall be specified by the Ministry of Education and Science.
(3) Partial basic education programmes shall be implemented in elementary schools.
(4) Complete basic education programmes shall be implemented in primary schools.
(5) The basic education programme may be combined with an educational programme for ethnic minorities, including therein the native language of an ethnic minority, educational content related to the identity of ethnic minorities and the integration of ethnic minorities into Latvian society.
Section 31. Enrolment of Students in a Basic Educational Institution
An educational institution implementing basic education programmes is not entitled to organise entrance examinations for the enrolment of students in grades 1 to 9.
[21 July 2000]
Section 32. Mandatory Basic Education
(1) The acquisition of primary education shall be mandatory.
(2) The acquisition of basic education shall be commenced in the calendar year when the student reaches the age of 7 years.
(3) A student is entitled to commence the acquisition of the basic education programme one year earlier or later depending on his or her state of health and psychological preparedness in conformity with the wishes of parents and the opinion of the family doctor.
(4) Institutions (orphanages, medical treatment institutions, places of imprisonment) in which students aged up to 18 years permanently reside shall ensure the possibility for the acquisition of the basic education programme.
(5) A student acquiring the basic education programme in a State or local government educational institution shall be discharged from this institution only after this has been co-ordinated with the local government of the administrative territory in which the student resides.
[21 November 2002]
Section 33. Lesson Load in the Basic Education Programme
The lesson load per week in one basic education programme shall not exceed:
1) 20 lessons in grade 1;
2) 22 lessons in grade 2;
3) 24 lessons in grade 3;
4) 26 lessons in grade 4;
5) 28 lessons in grade 5;
6) 30 lessons in grade 6;
7) 32 lessons in grade 7; and
8) 34 lessons in grades 8 and 9.
Section 34. Number of Lessons Per Day in the Basic Education Programme
Number of lessons per day in the basic education programme shall not exceed:
1) 5 lessons in grades 1 to 3;
2) 6 lessons in grades 4 to 5;
3) 7 lessons in grades 6 to 7; and
4) 8 lessons in grades 8 to 9.
Section 35. Duration of Lessons in Basic Educational Institutions
The duration of one lesson in grade 1 shall be 35 minutes, and in grades 2 through 9 – 40-45 minutes. The duration of lessons shall be determined by the head of an educational institution.
[21 July 2000]
Section 36. Duration of the School-year in Basic Educational Institutions
The duration of the school year shall be:
1) 34 weeks in grade 1;
2) 35 weeks in grades 2 through 8; and
3) 37 weeks in grade 9.
Section 37. Mandatory Content of Basic Education
The mandatory content of basic education shall be specified by the State basic educational standard.
Section 38. Fee for the Acquisition of the Basic Education Programme
(1) State and local government basic educational institutions are not entitled to prescribe a fee for the acquisition of the basic education programme.
(2) Private basic educational institutions are entitled to prescribe a study fee.
Section 39. Documents regarding the Acquisition of the Basic Education Programme
(1) Students shall receive a certificate of general basic education and a report card confirming completion of the general basic education programme in conformity with the procedures specified by the Cabinet.
(2) Evaluation in those subjects in which a centralised examination is organised shall be certified by a basic education certificate. The evaluation of educational achievements in the corresponding subjects reflected in a basic education certificate shall serve as selection criteria for the enrolment of students in secondary level education programmes if they include the organisation of entrance examinations.
(3) If a student has not obtained an evaluation in a subject in one year or in one of the State examinations or has obtained an evaluation in more than three subjects which, in conformity with the procedures for the evaluation of educational achievements specified in the State educational standard, is lower than a mark of 4, he or she shall be issued a school report.
[21 November 2002]
Chapter VII
General Secondary Education
Section 40. General Secondary Educational Institutions
(1) Depending on the structure of an educational institution and the organisation of the educational process in an educational institution, the types of general secondary educational institutions shall be as follows:
1) secondary schools;
2) evening (shift) secondary schools; and
3) gymnasiums.
(2) The main purpose of a secondary educational institution shall be the implementation of the basic and general secondary education programmes.
(3) The main purpose of a gymnasium shall be the implementation of the general secondary education programmes. A gymnasium is also entitled to implement partial basic education programmes for grades 7 to 9.
(4) State gymnasium status shall be granted to an educational institution by the Cabinet. In addition to the implementation of the general secondary education programme, a State gymnasium shall perform the functions of a regional methodological centre and a centre for the continuing education of educators.
Section 41. Enrolment of Students in General Secondary Educational Institutions
(1) Every person regardless of his or her age who has acquired a school report of basic education is entitled to begin acquisition of the general secondary education programme.
(2) When enrolling students in grade 10, the State and local government general secondary educational institutions are entitled, with the permission of the founder, to organise entrance examinations in conformity with the State basic education standard. General secondary educational institutions are not entitled to organise entrance examinations in those subjects in which students have acquired a certificate of basic education.
Section 42. Directions of General Secondary Education Programmes
(1) Educational institutions are entitled to develop general secondary education programmes in the following directions:
1) the general education direction, which is specified by the group of educational programmes without particularly emphasised subjects;
2) the humanities and social direction specified by the group of educational programmes with particularly emphasised humanities subjects and social science subjects;
3) the mathematics, natural sciences and technology direction determined by the group of educational programmes with particularly emphasised mathematics, natural sciences and technology subjects ; and
4) the vocational direction determined by the group of educational programmes with a particularly emphasised vocational orientation.
(2) A general secondary education programme of the corresponding direction may be combined with the educational programme for ethnic minorities, including therein the native language of the ethnic minority, the educational content related to the identity of ethnic minorities and the integration of ethnic minorities into Latvian society.
Section 43. Mandatory Content of General Secondary Education Programmes
The mandatory content of general secondary education programmes shall be specified by the State general secondary education standard.
Section 44. Lesson Load in the General Secondary Education Programme
(1) The lesson load in one general secondary education programme in grades 10 through 12 shall not exceed 36 lessons per week.
(2) The number of lessons in one general secondary education programme shall not exceed 8 lessons per day.
Section 45. Duration of Lessons in General Secondary Educational Institutions
The duration of a lesson in a general secondary educational institution shall be 40 to 45 minutes and this shall be determined by the head of the educational institution.
Section 46. Duration of the School-year in General Secondary Educational Institutions
The duration of the school year in general secondary educational institutions shall be:
1) 10. 11) 35 weeks in grades 10 and 11; and
2) 38 weeks in grade 12.
Section 47. Fee for the Acquisition of the General Secondary Education Programme
(1) State and local government general secondary educational institutions are not entitled to prescribe a fee for acquisition of the secondary education programme.
(2) Private secondary educational institutions are entitled to prescribe a study fee.
Section 48. Documents regarding the Acquisition of the General Secondary Education Programme
(1) Students shall receive a general secondary education diploma and a report card confirming the completion of the general secondary educational programme in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet.
(2) If a student has not obtained an evaluation in a subject in one year or in one of the State examinations or has obtained an evaluation in more than two subjects which, in conformity with the procedures for the evaluation of educational achievements specified in the State educational standard, is lower than a mark of 4, he or she shall be issued a school report.
(3) An evaluation in those subjects in which a centralised examination is organised, shall be certified by a general secondary education certificate. The evaluation of educational achievements in these subjects reflected in a general secondary education certificate shall serve as selection criteria for the enrolment of students in educational programmes of the highest level.
[21 November 2002]
Chapter VIII
Special Education
Section 49. Special Education Programmes
(1) Special education programmes shall ensure general practical work skills and vocational oriented education for students with mental and physical developmental disorders and special needs (hereinafter – students with special needs).
(2) Special education shall create the possibilities and circumstances for students with special needs to acquire an education appropriate to their health condition, skills and level of development in any educational institution, concurrently ensuring the pedagogical psychological and medical adjustment of the student and his or her preparation for working and living in society.
Section 50. Implementation of Special Education Programmes
(1) Special education programmes shall be implemented in accordance with the type of developmental disorder, skills and health condition of the students, which is determined by a pedagogical medical commission.
(2) Individual special educational programmes for students with serious mental disabilities or several serious developmental disorders are provided for 9 years. Depending on the health condition of the student and the possibilities of the educational institution, implementation of individual educational programmes for the development of work skills may continue for a period of up to 12 years.
(3) Special education programmes for students with mental developmental disorders shall be provided for a period of 9 years. If the implementer of a programme provides the possibility for acquiring a general or vocational education, the programme may be implemented in a longer period of time, but not longer than 12 years.
(4) Vocational education programmes may be implemented during a period of one to three years in any special educational institution after completion of a basic education or general secondary education.
(5) Special education programmes for acquisition of the general basic education designed for partially deaf, visually impaired and blind students are provided for a period of 10 years, but for acquisition of general secondary education – 3 years.
(6) Special educational programmes for acquisition of the general basic education designed for deaf students are provided for a period of 11 years, but for acquisition of general secondary education – 3 years.
(7) Special educational programmes for acquisition of the general basic education for students with mental retardation and difficulties in their studies or serious speech disturbances shall be provided for a period of 10 years.
Section 51. Special Educational Institutions and Classes
(1) Students with special needs may acquire special education programmes in special educational institutions or classes.
(2) There shall be the following special educational institutions:
1) State special educational institutions. These shall be special educational institutions overseen by the Ministry of Education and Science in which students with special needs from the administrative territories of various local governments shall study;
2) special educational institutions of the local governments. These shall be special boarding schools (schools), developmental or rehabilitation centres in which mostly students with special needs living in the administrative territory of the respective local government study; and
3) private special educational institutions.
(3) A special educational class shall be a class in a general educational institution in which students with special needs study. A special educational class may also be opened in an educational institution implementing vocational education programmes.
(4) A special educational institution shall be granted the status of special developmental centre in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet.
[1 September 2001]
Section 52. Enrolment and Discharge of Students in Special Educational Institutions
Enrolment of students in special educational institutions and the discharge thereof shall follow the procedures specified by the Cabinet.
[1 September 2001]
Section 53. Integration of Children with Special Needs in General Educational Institutions
General basic educational and secondary educational institutions, which have the appropriate provisions, may integrate students with special needs on the basis of an opinion of a State or local government pedagogical medical commission. The provisions of these schools, in conformity with special needs, shall be determined by the Cabinet.
Section 54. Pedagogical Medical Commission
There shall be a State pedagogical medical commission and pedagogical medical commissions of the local governments. The State pedagogical medical commission shall be established by the Minister for Education and Science. The pedagogical medical commissions of the local governments shall be established by the local governments. The pedagogical medical commissions shall operate on the basis of the by-laws approved by the founders thereof. The competence of the State pedagogical medical commission and the pedagogical medical commissions of the local governments shall be determined by the Cabinet.
[1 September 2001]
Section 55. Evaluation of Educational Achievements in Special Education
(1) The acquisition of special educational programmes shall be evaluated in accordance with the State general education standard of the respective level.
(2) An educator shall evaluate individual achievements in the acquisition of special programmes in the form of description .
Section 56. Lesson Load Per Week and Number of Lessons Per Day in a Special Education Programme
The lesson load per week and the number of lessons per day in a special education programme shall be in conformity with the provisions of Sections 33 and 34 of this Law.
Section 57. Duration of Lessons in Special Educational Institutions and Classes
(1) The duration of lesson for students with serious mental disabilities or several serious developmental disorders from grade 1 through grade 9 shall be 30 minutes.
(2) The duration of lessons for students with other health and developmental disorders shall be:
1) 30 minutes in grade 1; and
2) 40 minutes from grade 2 through grade 12.
Section 58. Documents regarding the Acquisition of Special Education
Students who have completed special educational programmes shall be issued a certificate for the completion of basic education or a diploma for the completion of secondary education and a report card.
Chapter IX
Social and Pedagogical Adjustment
Section 59. Educational Institutions of Social or Pedagogical Adjustment
Educational institutions of social or pedagogical adjustment shall be general educational institutions implementing educational programmes of social or pedagogical adjustment, ensuring the acquisition of education or improving the quality of the acquisition thereof, performing pedagogical activities with children from disadvantageous families, as well as juvenile offenders.
Section 60. Founding of Educational Institutions of Social or Pedagogical Adjustment, the Opening of Classes and the Enrolment of Students
(1) Social adjustment educational institutions shall be under the supervision of the Minister of Education and Science.
(2) Pedagogical adjustment educational institutions shall be founded by the State, local governments, other legal persons and natural persons.
(3) Any educational institution may open classes for students requiring social or pedagogical adjustment.
(4) Enrolment in social correction educational institutions shall be performed following the procedures specified by law.
(5) Procedures for enrolment in a pedagogical adjustment educational institution or class and a social adjustment class shall be determined by the founder of the respective institution.
(6) It is mandatory for educational institutions in which social or pedagogical adjustment classes are set up to provide an extended working day group for individual work with students studying in these classes.
[21 November 2002]
Section 61. Educational Documents
The completion of the education of students who have completed educational programmes of social or pedagogical adjustment shall be certified by educational documents certifying partial or complete completion of an educational programme of a particular educational level.
Chapter X
Financing of General Education
Section 62. Sources of Funds of General Educational Institutions
(1) The sources of funds of general educational institutions shall be specified by this Law, the Education Law, other regulatory enactments and the by-law of the respective educational institution.
(2) Accredited special education programmes shall be financed from the State budget according to the procedures specified by the Cabinet.
(3) Special purpose grants from the State budget shall cover the following:
1) expenditure of the remuneration of educators and the remuneration equivalent thereof for specialists related to the educational process in conformity with the procedures specified by the Cabinet in general educational institutions of local governments implementing general basic education or general secondary education programmes; and
2) expenditure of remuneration for those educators implementing mandatory pre-school educational programmes for five-year-old and six-year-old children in educational institutions.
[21 November 2002]
Section 63. Procedures for Financing General Educational Institutions
(1) Procedures for financing general educational programmes and general educational institutions shall be specified by this Law, the Education Law, other regulatory enactments and the by-law of the respective educational institution.
(2) State gymnasiums shall be granted additional financing from the State budget for the performance of the functions specified in Section 40, Paragraph four of this Law.
Transitional Provisions
1. The Minister for Education and Science shall ensure the development of regulatory enactments related to this Law and submit them for approval to the Cabinet within a period of six months from the day of the coming into force of this Law.
2. The first sentence of Section 48, Paragraph three of this Law shall come into force in the 2002/2003 school year, but the second sentence – in the 2003/2004 school year.
[21 November 2002]
3. Expenses for the maintenance of boarding schools (with the exception of special boarding schools) which are under the supervision of local governments shall be financed from the special purpose grants from the State budget until the introduction of administrative territorial reform.
(23.09.2004. [23 September 2004]
4. [13 August 1999]
5. The Cabinet shall develop regulations for the financing of boarding schools and special educational institutions by 1 September 2000.
[21 July 2000]
6. A gymnasium implementing basic educational programmes at the moment this Law comes into force is entitled to continue implementation of the respective educational programme until 1 September 2003.
[21 July 2000]
7. Section 4, Paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 shall come into force on 1 September 2001.
[21 July 2000]
8. The amendments in Section 26, Paragraph two of this Law (regarding the enrolment of students in special educational institutions or in special groups), amendments in Section 51, Paragraph 4 of this Law (regarding the conferring of special education developmental centre status), amendments in Section 52 of this Law (regarding the enrolment of students in special educational institutions), amendments in Section 54 of this Law (regarding the pedagogical medical commission) shall come into force on 1 September 2001.
[21 July 2000]
9. Section 39, Paragraph three and Section 48, Paragraph two of this Law shall come into force on 1 September 2003.
[21 November 2002]
This Law was adopted by the Saeima on 10 June 1999.
President G. Ulmanis
Rīga, 30 June 1990
