Analysis of factors in the competitiveness of rural schools in Latgale region: the results of an expert survey

At the stage of fast progress in modern technologies and science, it is essential to respond in time to prospects emerging for the future. Global economic trends show a fast reorientation towards the creation of higher value-added products. Therefore, one of the most important factors in the ability to respond to changes in the economic environment in Latvia in a timely manner is the capacity to provide quality education to youth who will be able to compete in the world market, cope with challenges and achieve the goals set. In recent years in Latvia, the national education system has been one of the most urgent areas of national domestic policy, in which reforms have been implemented to increase the competitiveness thereof. The research aims to identify and analyse factors in the competitiveness of rural schools in Latgale region to determine measures to be taken to increase the competitiveness thereof by employing the expert interview method. The results of the expert survey revealed that the competitiveness of rural schools in Latgale region was most significantly affected by the quality of administrative and teaching personnel, as well as their ability to plan and evaluate their school development. The highest priority rating was given to raising the qualifications of teaching personnel and improving the curriculum, which indicates their significant impact on the competitiveness of rural schools in Latgale region. The research novelty involves examining in depth the known and identifying new factors in the competitiveness of rural schools in Latgale region. Research methods used: monographic and descriptive, analysis, syntheses, statistical analysis, a sociological research method – an expert survey. The research was based on the results of an expert survey, research papers and other sources of information.