Professional support measures for teachers in regions of Latvia

Abstract

The authors in the paper present the results of the on-line survey on teachers’ professional support measures which was carried out in collaboration with the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees. The aim of the research was to explore, how teachers assessed availability and level of professional support measures within a context of current education reforms. The quantitative research design was used in the study and the quantitative survey of the teachers was conducted via web tool visidati.lv (n=1258) from November 2 till November 27, 2018. The questionnaire comprised the statements on following measures of professional support: financial, material and technological, methodological, and societal. Teachers’ opinions regarding their provision with resources and support were analysed by region. The results witness about regional disparities mainly between Riga and Latgale regions. There are statistically significant differences between both regions in how teachers are provided with health insurance. The need for financial and societal support was assessed as most important for teachers in Riga region, while Latgale teachers considered the need for methodological and material support. Teachers in Zemgale more often than the respondents from other regions agreed with the statement that when integrating students with special needs into general education institutions, teachers are not paid for additional duties. The authors conclude that different professional support measures are available for teachers in Latvia, but there is No common support system in place to address which functions and support measures should be implemented at national level and which at municipal level.