Education

The KMK is an association of the German government ministers, who—in their function as highest authorities of a Land—are responsible for education, science, and culture. The Länder work together on educational and cultural issues to develop common guidelines. Their primary aim is to guarantee an equal standard of quality in all German schools. They also reciprocally recognize different educational qualifications. In higher education, the KMK regulates German university admissions and guarantees the equivalence of academic achievements. The Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD) offers projects and programs promoting the exchange of students and teachers. The German Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) reviews 15,000 foreign educational qualifications every year.

National Centre for Education (VISC -Valsts izglītības satura centrs) is a public administration institution directly subordinated to the Minister of Education and Science.

National Centre for Education primary functions are:

• to develop curriculum for pre-school, basic and general secondary education and vocational education; (National Centre for Education develops subject standards and sample teaching- learning programs);
• to provide unite development of national examinations in basic education, general secondary education and vocational education;
• to coordinate development of textbooks in accordance with national standards for general and vocational education;
• to coordinate support system for learners with special needs;
• to coordinate hobby education system and implement support activities for development of learners’ personalities and talents;
• to organize Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Celebration;
• to coordinate teacher continuing professional development activities;
• to organize state language proficiency testing