Code4Europe project highlights the best e-teachers in Latvia

Since 2007, the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association (LIKTA) has been organising the Annual Latvian ICT prize “Platinum Mouse Award 2025” to celebrate and promote best digital practices in Latvia, both in businesses, public administration and education. From 2024, the "Best E-teacher" award has been presented in cooperation with the EU Code Week initiative and Code4Europe project, highlighting educators, interest education and youth promoters who are particularly active in promoting programming, digital skills and creative thinking in schools and other educational institutions.

This year, Dace Okmane, Head of the Education Development and Methodological Support Centre of the Liepāja Education Board and Latvian language teacher of the Liepāja Liedaga Secondary School was awarded with the Platinum mouse in the category "Best E-teacher". Dace Okmane has been working as a teacher for more than 25 years and is actively using artificial intelligence and other digital tools in the teaching process. She also regularly advises students and parents on educational and ICT matters, including support for students with different needs.

This year, the Latvijas Mobilais telefons (LMT) also wanted to highlight its favourite educator by awarding a sympathy award to a teacher who is able to look at things outside the usual frame, and therefore the LMT award was given to Egita Petrusa, a computer science teacher at Dobele Secondary School No. 1.  She who actively uses both digital and artificial intelligence solutions in her lessons, making learning more exciting and teaching students responsible and ethical use of AI. Egita Petrusa has been one of EU CodeWeek Ambassadors to Latvia for many years.

We would also like to thank the other finalists for their contribution to EU CodeWeek activities, education and the development of digital skills for children and young people, as well as for their success and inspiring energy to inspire the next generation.

The activities of the Code4Europe project are funded by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA), Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL), project No. 101158834 — Code4Europe. In Latvia, the Code4Europe project is implemented by the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association.