Vana-Vigala Technical and Service School Closure
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-11-06 14:40
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 15
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 13m
AI Summaries: 15/15 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The fourth question addressed the closure of Vana-Vigala Technical and Service School and its impact on the education network. The discussion focused on the school's viability in a regional context: whether to continue operating the school or find alternative solutions that would ensure access to and the quality of education throughout Rapla County and the surrounding area. Alongside the legal and financial background, attention was also paid to addressing regionalization, new employee support systems, and the needs of students with special needs (HEV). The debate primarily involved representatives of the opposition, for whom the central question was whether closing the school would not create educational and social losses in the region and whether the framework for regional cooperation and planning is sufficient and the correct solution. The minister then provided their explanation with justifications, emphasizing that the decision is based on financial viability, structural problems, and the need for student engagement, and that if possible, the school's operations will be discontinued in order to redirect students to other schools.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made during this sitting.
Most Active Speaker
Andres Metsoja — Member of the Riigikogu, political position: other
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
A member of the Riigikogu, Rene Kokk, submits the fourth question to the Minister of Education and Science Kristina Kallas regarding the closure of the Vana-Vigala Technical and Service School.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk expresses deep concern about the closure of the Vana-Vigala Technical and Industrial School, criticizes the state's funding priorities, and calls for a comprehensive discussion involving local governments and the regional minister to find a sustainable solution for the school.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair gives thanks and politely addresses the minister with a request.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Education and Research Minister Kristina Kallas announced the closure of the Vana-Vigala Technical and Service School, explaining the decision by financial unsustainability, higher costs for students, the lack of support services for learners with special educational needs, and the depreciation of the building, and added that current students will be able to continue their studies in Kehtna, Pärnu, or Haapsalu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and asks René Kokk to present a clarifying question.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk states that relocating schools based on the placement of support specialists is not sensible, emphasizes the importance of HEV students' special educational needs and a calm environment, and that the ministry must find the necessary specialists, rather than moving schools around the country.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
The Minister of Education and Science, Kristina Kallas, said that high-quality teaching does not depend on the location of the school or on whether the school has enough support specialists, and all schools must provide the necessary support and include children with special educational needs, and from 2026 the state must ensure all basic-school graduates the opportunity to continue their studies in state gymnasiums or state vocational education centers, and not a single school may have the right to say that they do not admit children with special educational needs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and asks Andres Metsoja to speak.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
In the presentation, it is emphasized that access to education is the core of regional policy, and the closures of schools and the buildings that remain in state use require a holistic, strategic plan that unites vocational education and adult education and ensures the sustainability of the education network and the development of the workforce.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is a very short speech that ends with thanks and says that it is your time.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
The Minister of Education and Science, Kristina Kallas, asks what that question was.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech focuses on the question 'Why so?' and emphasizes the need for an explanation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker, Lauri Hussar, turned to Madam Minister with a request.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Education and Science Minister Kristina Kallas said that the closure of the Vana-Vigala Service School stems mainly from high costs, but vocational education will remain accessible to the county, and according to the state's 2035 strategy, post-primary education will be integrated and the development potential of the Pärnu County Vocational Education Center will be increased.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and closes today's fourth question.