6.2 Administration and governance
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Governance
The Ministry of Education and Science is responsible for education, science, sports, youth and state language policies in Latvia.
Responsibilities:
- pre-school, basic and secondary education, including education in minority languages
- vocational, continuing education and life-learning
- informal and values education
- juvenile correctional education
- education for children and young people with special needs
- the field of higher education and research
- the national sports policy
- coordinating development and implementation of youth policy
- international cooperation in youth field
- promoting access of young people to their rights
- strengthening the status of the Latvian language
- promoting engagement in foreign language learning among the public
In order to pave the path to future success, Latvia has developed its Education Development Guidelines 2021-2027, which identifies key policy initiatives that are critical for skills development. The Guidelines outline how Latvia will equip its citizens with skills to flourish in work and in society. Evidence on the strengths and weaknesses of Latvia’s education and skills systems has informed the prioritisation of relevant policies in the Guidelines. A wide range of Latvian actors across ministries, levels of government, education and training providers, employers, trade unions, the non-profit sector and learners have been involved in the development of the Guidelines, demonstrating their commitment to work together to implement these initiatives.
Cross-sectorial cooperation
The UNESCO Advisory Council "Education for All" has been operating since 2005 and aims to promote cooperation between ministries and other administrations, municipalities, the private sector, non-governmental and international organisations and concerted action to ensure inclusive, equal and high-quality education for all and promote lifelong learning. Three strands of action have been put forward to the Council:
- promoting access to lifelong learning at all levels of education, including by supporting the development of vocational and technical education, the recognition of skills acquired in non-formal education and informal learning, and the targeted use of information and communication technologies in education;
- promoting the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes to promote sustainable development through education, sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and respect for cultural diversity;
- promoting an inclusive education and development-friendly learning environment.