Definition of the target groups
At present two target groups are identified among general education pupils in mainstream provision schools. A model programme for pamatizglītība (integrated primary and lower secondary education) states that additional individual work lessons (outside the general teaching load) with
- talented children
- pupils with learning difficulties can be included in education programme of a school.
A new target group in Latvia that needs additional support are Ukrainian refugee students.
Specific support measures
The standard of basic education (integrated primary and lower-secondary education) and the sample programme state that the purpose of the basic education programme is to provide a student who is a minor asylum seeker, refugee or person with an alternative status, comprehensive development and value orientation by integrating into the education system, and to provide additional support in learning the Latvian language so that the student wants and can continue general education or learn a profession, get involved in the life of society and develop into a happy and responsible personality.
For this purpose, the regulations by the Cabinet of Ministers on Procedures by which Minor Asylum Seeker shall be Provided with Opportunities for Acquiring Education have been supplemented too. More information on support for the education of Ukrainian children and students is available on the website of the Ministry of Education and Science.
For minor citizens of Ukraine who are studying primary education programs in grades 1-4 in educational institutions, meals in municipal and private educational institutions are covered from the state budget in the same amount as it is covered for one Latvian student in a state educational institution.
Schools are encouraged to provide individual work (tutoring) with talented children and pupils with learning difficulties. Teachers are also encouraged to implement differentiated teaching methods by planning learning outcomes for each pupil individually. Variety of teaching methods was implemented successfully by the schools participating in the ESF project Science and Mathematics.