First Reading of the Draft Bill (447 SE) for the Act on the Amendment of the Education Act of the Republic of Estonia and Related Acts (Establishment of Study Obligation)

Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session.

Date: 2024-06-13 02:21

Participating Politicians:

Heljo Pikhof
Heljo Pikhof

Total Speeches: 5

Membership: 15

Agenda Duration: 37m

AI Summaries: 5/5 Speeches (100.0%)

Analysis: Structured Analysis

Politicians Speaking Time

Politicians

Analysis

Summary

Today, the first reading of Draft Act 447, concerning the amendment of the Education Act and related amendments to other acts (establishing the study obligation), was the focus as the 16th item on the Riigikogu agenda. The objective of the draft act is to reduce the proportion of young people in Estonia with low educational attainment and lack of skills. This will be achieved by replacing the concept of compulsory schooling with the study obligation and extending it beyond basic education—until the acquisition of secondary education or a vocational qualification. The draft is set to come into force on September 1, 2025, for those who begin their studies in the ninth grade in 2025. The draft act brings about a significant reform, which includes the creation of the unified admission information system SAIS, a preparatory study mechanism, and the expansion of recognizing non-formal education within formal education to enable a more flexible career path. Consequently, the reform is aimed at creating a unified, flexible, and sustainable educational path, as well as reducing the proportion of young people entering the labor market with low educational attainment. During the second main discussion point, the Culture Committee provided clarification and debated how and what additional study options and new specializations must be ensured, as well as the needs related to future funding and implementation during the years 2025–2029.

Decisions Made 1
Collective Decision

The Culture Committee unanimously adopted a proposal to include Draft Bill 447 on the plenary agenda for June 12 and conclude its first reading. Furthermore, Heljo Pikhof (Chair of the Culture Committee) was appointed as the representative of the lead committee, and this decision was also established by consensus. Further amendments to the draft bill will be prepared, and the working group will continue discussing sectoral details in accordance with the guidelines.

Most Active Speaker
Heljo Pikhof
Heljo Pikhof

Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioon

The person associated with the most active speaker is Heljo Pikhof (Chair of the Culture Committee). Since she represents the Culture Committee and leads the discussion, her position is suitable as “other” (neither left nor right) when categorizing parliamentary alignment.

View Their Speeches
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
02:21:20
AI Summary

The Riigikogu will hold the first reading of the government-initiated amendment proposal to the Education Act of the Republic of Estonia and related acts (concerning the establishment of compulsory education). The proposal will be presented by Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas.

Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
02:21:51
AI Summary

Minister Kristina Kallas is introducing a draft bill aimed at reducing the proportion of young people in Estonia who have low educational attainment and lack skills. The bill proposes establishing a mandatory education requirement, coupled with a unified admissions information system, flexible learning path options, and the recognition of non-formal education. Furthermore, it expands post-basic school choices through preparatory education and modernizes vocational and secondary education. The ultimate goal is to ensure that by 2035, 90% of 20–24-year-olds have acquired secondary education, and the proportion of youth with low educational attainment is significantly reduced. Funding for this initiative will utilize resources from the European Social Fund.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
02:42:04
AI Summary

Toomas Kivimägi thanks the speaker and states that he has no questions, and the decisions of the lead committee will be introduced by the Chairman of the Culture Committee, Heljo Pikhof.

Heljo Pikhof
Heljo Pikhof
 Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioon
02:42:18
AI Summary

During Heljo Pikhof’s address, the Culture Committee summarized the substance of Draft Bill 447: post-basic education opportunities will be expanded, vocational education will become more flexible and competitive, 39 new curricula will be introduced (18 of which will be finalized by 2026), the scope of tuition-free and tuition-based studies and the responsibilities of the state and local governments will be regulated. Furthermore, the committee decided to submit the draft bill to the plenary session on June 12th for the conclusion of the first reading, designating Heljo Pikhof as the leading committee member.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
02:58:40
AI Summary

Toomas Kivimägi announced that the first reading of Bill 447 had concluded, and several agenda items were left unaddressed because discussion was impossible, as the scheduled speakers were not present. The session ended a couple of minutes after midnight.

Back to Plenary Sessions