As a result of a procurement procedure and within the framework of the project “Nīca region education development strategy and plan of action for the time period of 2016 - 2023” (hereinafter – the Strategy) regional council of Nīca involved “Dynamic University ” Ltd. to ensure that the local government could work on the development of qualitative and optimal education services in Nīca region by ensuring coordinated and purposeful management of, for example, human, material and financial resources.

PROJECT SOLUTIONS AND RESULTS

“Dynamic University” Ltd. carried out the Strategy development from August 2015 to June 2016 by dividing the process in to tree stages 1) Analysing the current situation, 2)  formulating alternatives for development, 3) development of the plan of action.

The first stage of the Strategy development was carried out by conducting the following research activities:

• data collection and analysis (source: the council of the Nīca region and educational institutions, Central Statistical Bureau, The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, National Centre for Education, National Education Information system, Ministry of Education and Science, etc.), as well as literature review;
• interviews with experts and the heads of educational institutions, performing surveying of parents;
• analysis of educational institution infrastructure, material-technical resource and environment;
• cohort analysis for the demographical forecasting conducted  by looking at 10 factors affecting the demography, as well as modelling of 6 demographical development scenarios.

As a result of the second stage of the project, several initial alternatives for Nīca region educational development were devised:

• “Raising competitiveness of the Nīca secondary school”;
• “Accessible education system for everyone”;
• “Economic education system”.

Public discussions were held in order to engage the public in to the decision making process and to explore their opinions on the alternatives that were developed as a part of this project. These discussions were attended by the representatives of educational institutions, member of parliament and parents. The direction of the Nīca region education development for the next 7 years was based on the results of these public discussions and can be defined by the main goal of the Strategy: “The residents of Nīca region choose the local education services over the education services offered by other regions because they see the provided educational opportunities (both their children's and their own) as completely fitting for their educational needs.”

The result of the third stage was the plan of action for the implementation of the Strategy until 2023, including priorities, tasks, projects, and the activities that will be dependent on the actions taken during implementation. In the developed Strategy, special attention was paid to the educational institution development prospects, taking into account demographic challenges and changes in the teacher remuneration model. For example, in cooperation with the Nīca secondary school management, teachers and parents, “Dynamic University” Ltd. developed Nīca secondary school’s “uniqueness” concept by defining the specialization of the school.

In order to ensure the sustainability of the Strategy and progress towards its implementation, the action plan includes the target objectives as well as the necessary measures for monitoring and the implementation processes.