Latvian Education Informatization System (LEIS)

Strategy, Results, Perspective

LEIS project laeder Jānis Bičevskis, University of Latvia, info@liis.lv, www.liis.lv

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Support from State

The National Program “Informatics” has been originated according to the direction of the Cabinet of Ministers in April 1997. The fundamental goal of the Program is to form information society in Latvia.The priorities of Latvia are similar to those of EU.

The Latvian Education Informatization System (LEIS) program was started in June 1997 and is defined as one of the main priorities of the

National Program.

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Unified and complete solutionInformatization of all functions at primary, secondary and tertiary levels

of education: Educational establishments Regional schoolboards Ministry of Education and Sciences of Latvia

Functions of the program: Education content

Training of teachers Management

Based on common infrastructure

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Usage of infrastructure

Students(79%)

Management(7%)

Teachers(14%)

Infrastructure(PC, Internet)

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Main results: content

All pupils are trained to use ICT starting from primary classes;

Teaching of other courses (physics, mathematics, languages etc.) using ICT has been started;

80 000 A4 pages of electronic textbooks (courses materials) including corresponding software have been elaborated.

Next step: ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) is introduced

as standard skill for every graduated secondary school.

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Main results: management

Registers of schools, courses, teachers and students have been implemented. These registers are used in schools, regional schoolboards and the ministry. Register of education documents (diploma) is being developed.

Next step: Management system is developed; it must become

instrument for everyday use in schools.

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Main results: training of teachers

More than 66% of all teachers have been trained for use of ICT (basic skills).

Next step: Teachers are being trained to use ICT for teaching

physics, biology, mathematics etc.

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Main results: infrastructure

Piltene

Kalnciems

Smiltene

Svente

Talsi

Madona

Aizkraukle

Preiļi

Daugavpils Krāslava

RēzekneJēkabpil

s

Kārsava

Balvi

Alūksne

Gulbene

Cēsis

Ogre

ValkaRūjiena

ValmieraLimbaži

Bauska

RĪGA

Jūrmala

JelgavaDobele

Tukums

Saldus

Ventspils Ugāle

Kuldīga

Liepāja

Salacgrīva

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Pupils per PC 67.3 49.5 39.3 32.3 21.7

Internet dial-up % of schools 9% 21% 35% 97% 97% Internet on-line % of schools 16% 34% Real use of Internet as % of pupils 51% 62%

Expenditures (LVL)(1 LVL = 1,75 Euro)

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 %

Content 16 85 120 130 140 170 170 170 100 1 101 5,16%Training 4 40 190 200 190 150 100 100 50 1 024 4,80%Managment 30 95 95 221 260 380 350 380 240 2 051 9,61%Infrastructure 237 750 1 916 1 757 1 717 2 560 2 540 2 810 1 789 16 076 75,30%Others 13 80 136 125 126 173 173 173 99 1 098 5,14%

300 1 050 2 457 2 433 2 433 3 433 3 333 3 633 2 278 21 350 100,00%

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ICT from point of student viewAnalysis of ICT usage in Latvia’s schools was done in 2001:1. More than 90% of students (5-12 classes) have access to

computers in schools;2. More than 62% of students have access to Internet in

schools;3. 95,6% of students likes ICT and recommend to increase use

of ICT in schools;4. Students recommend to start teaching and use ICT in schools

from the age of 9-11 years.

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Conclusions

Program LEIS will be continued without changing strategic goals:1. Basic ICT skills according ECDL for everybody;2. Teaching usage of ICT in every field;3. Management of whole unified education system;4. Development of infrastructure: more computers in schools,

broadband Internet connection for every school.

Integration of infrastructure of municipalities, libraries and schools must be realised in next 3 years.

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Latvia has the strategy

Latvia knows what must be done

Latvia is on the way

Latvia doesn’t have enough money