Draft law amending the Adult Education Act and, in consequence, amending other laws (465 SE) – third reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-01-15 16:07
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 17m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first agenda item concerned the third reading of the draft law amending the Adult Education Act, initiated by the Republic’s Government, and amending other laws in connection with it. The central idea of the draft is the introduction of micro-qualifications, which creates flexible and short learning methods and enables people to quickly acquire specific skills to remain competitive in the labor market. Micro-qualifications are aimed at practical and labor market-required skills and ensure quality in educational institutions through thorough assessment. The terms formal and non-formal education are also clarified, and the concept of a micro-degree is added, which can only be offered by higher education institutions and for which a large part of the program must consist of courses at the higher education level in order to achieve international recognition. Examples from the construction sector illustrated the practical application of micro-degrees in assessing building energy efficiency, restoration, and the use of construction software (e.g., BIM). Discussions emphasized the need for lifelong learning and workforce engagement, but questions were also raised about the succession of teachers and the implementation of the education agreement, as well as the need to resolve additional workloads and salary issues. With the matter proceeding to a final vote, the following result was achieved: the draft was adopted as a law by a majority vote of the Riigikogu.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 465 was passed as law with a majority vote of the composition of the Riigikogu: in favor 73, against 0, abstentions 2.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Vadim Belobrovtsev (Center Party). He is a member of the Center Party and his political position in the Riigikogu is other (not directly associated with either the left or right party line).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The first item on the agenda concerns the Government-initiated draft law No. 465 amending the Adult Education Act and related laws, in its third reading; negotiations will be opened, and a speech will be delivered by Heljo Pikhof from the Social Democratic Party faction.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The aim of the draft bill is to create flexible and short forms of study through micro-qualifications, ensure their quality, and implement the micro-degree as a special type of higher education, in order to quickly acquire the skills needed in the labor market and to increase the competitiveness of the Estonian economy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They extend heartfelt thanks and, on behalf of Vadim Belobrovtsev, represent the Estonian Centre Party faction and request to take the floor.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev highlights two topics — parliamentary culture and the education sector — and notes that the opposition is ready to support coalition initiatives when they are reasonable, but the coalition often votes against; a micro-qualification is a sensible draft bill, but the real problem is the shortage of teachers and the Ministry of Education should deal with it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They ask for three more minutes.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsevi's speech emphasized the deepening crisis of the teacher workforce's replenishment, with the added burden and salary problems, and, in light of an appeal signed by more than a thousand signatures, showed that the education pact has not lived up to expectations, and only a small portion of municipalities has joined it; he called on the ministry to quickly draw up a plan for the long term, avoiding unrealistic ideas like a video teacher.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Ando Kiviberg represents the Eesti 200 faction, thanks the listeners and requests permission to speak.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg commends the bill, emphasizing that it follows the Education Vision 2035 and the Education and Science Strategy process, and the idea of micro-credentials, which makes vocational education more flexible and provides people with the knowledge and skills to improve life in Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi ends the negotiations and directs members of the Riigikogu to vote in the final vote on Bill 465, emphasizing that for it to be adopted as a law it requires an absolute majority of the Riigikogu’s membership, and asking everyone to take a stand and vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Bill 465 was enacted into law: 73 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour, 0 against, 2 abstained.