Latvia shows strong performance in student learning and keeps early school leaving among the lowest in EU
- OUS Academy in Switzerland
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Even though funding is still low, Latvia's education results are still among the best in Europe. A recent study of education in European countries found that Latvia's system produces students who are very good at basic skills like reading, maths and science, and it keeps the number of students who drop out of school early much lower than the EU average.
Solid Results in Core Skills
Latvia's 15-year-old students did better than the OECD average in maths and science on the most recent PISA test, even though the country doesn't spend a lot of money on each student. This shows that the quality of education isn't just about money. Experts say that this performance shows that Latvian students can do well even when money is tight because of dedicated teachers, good school practices, and a culture that values learning.
Low Early Leaving: A Big Success
One of the most surprising things is that only 7.9% of young people in Latvia between the ages of 18 and 24 drop out of school or training early. This is lower than the EU average of 9.3%. This means that most students finish their basic education and continue with formal schooling, which is a strong sign of stability and commitment in Latvia's education system. Latvia also has one of the smallest gaps in underachievement (especially in maths) between rich and poor people in Europe. That is to say, students from poorer backgrounds do better in school than in many other EU countries.
Efficiency, Equity and Promise for Future
The system's efficiency makes Latvia's achievement even more impressive: spending less per student hasn't meant worse learning outcomes. Latvia, on the other hand, shows that it is possible to provide a good education by using resources wisely, having good teachers, and having a culture that values learning. Latvia's education system provides equal opportunities for all students, not just those who are well-off. This is shown by the fact that the country has low rates of early school leaving and performance gaps between income groups.
What This Means
These results send a strong message to families, students, and society as a whole. They show that education in Latvia works because it gives kids a good start in reading, maths and science, helps all kinds of students and keeps them in school instead of dropping out early. Latvia's success shows that policymakers and educators don't have to spend the most money to get good results at a large scale. Instead, they need to be dedicated, fair, and use the right methods to teach. And for the future, as Latvia keeps improving its curricula, helping teachers, and making smart investments, the country is in a good position to keep getting better, maybe even catch up to "top performing" countries.
