Teacher Shortage in Educational Institutions and the Future of Vocational Education (Illustrated by the Hiiumaa Vocational School)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-11-06 15:30
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Agenda item eight addressed the shortage of teachers in educational institutions and the future of vocational education, exemplified by Hiiumaa Vocational School. Questioner Vladimir Arhipov raised the issue of the teacher workforce shortage and the transition to Estonian-language instruction, and how this impacts schools and municipalities in recruitment and finding qualified teachers. The agenda also included discussion of the activities of Hiiumaa Vocational School – the future of the building, the need for reorganization, and how vocational and secondary education will continue to develop on Hiiumaa. The presenting minister was the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, whose responses encompassed both the general situation of teacher education and regional issues, as well as specific plans for vocational education in Hiiumaa.
Decisions Made 1
Hiiumaa Vocational School will not close. A reorganization plan is being prepared, within the framework of which horticultural training resources will be reduced on Hiiumaa, and a new specialization will be created for primary school graduates; at the same time, other specializations will continue, and a new specialization will be added, allowing vocational education to be obtained on Hiiumaa for those who have completed primary school. Additionally, efforts are being made to move Hiiumaa Vocational School to the Kärdla education campus, which combines vocational and gymnasium education and ensures modern learning conditions. By September 2026, a new specialization must be open, along with a system of post-primary school training opportunities on Hiiumaa.
Most Active Speaker
Kristina Kallas, Minister of Education and Research; position: other
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
A member of the Estonian Parliament, Vladimir Arhipov, asks the Minister of Education and Science Kristina Kallas about the shortage of teachers in educational institutions and the future of vocational education, using Hiiumaa Vocational School as an example.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov stresses that the necessary teaching staff and qualifications for the transition to Estonian-language education exist, and notes that schools and local governments sometimes recruit people who lack the relevant education but have the language category, and that the ministry has given them another year to acquire that qualification, while asking at the same time whether we will have enough teachers and how this transition to education will affect it, and briefly mentions Hiiumaa vocational education and the Suuremõisa Manor’s vocational school, whose building and the school’s future are in question.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
The government has increased the intake into teacher training, and the number of people studying to become teachers has grown. About 500 new teachers have gone to work in Ida-Virumaa due to the salary coefficient, and overall the number of people wanting to become teachers is high, but working conditions and salary agreements must be agreed nationwide.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar says that now is really the time.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Hiiumaa Vocational School continues to operate, and this is not a decision to shut down.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
There is still a chance to hear the answer about Hiiumaa Vocational School, because Vladimir Arhipov can ask a clarifying question.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov asks a clarifying question about Hiiumaa Vocational School.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is a short, polite sentence addressed to the minister in which something is requested.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Education and Science Minister Kristina Kallas said that Hiiumaa Vocational School will not close, but will be reorganized in accordance with the 2026 compulsory education obligation: the state training order for the gardener curriculum will be terminated, a vocational secondary education curriculum will be created for graduates of basic school, and the school will move to the Kärdla Educational Campus, where both vocational and gymnasium education will be offered.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks Helle-Moonika Helme and asks her to present a supplementary question.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Regarding Hiiumaa Vocational School, it is emphasized that before implementing training reforms a regional impact assessment must be carried out, the opinions of local people must be taken into account, and the existing infrastructure must not be destroyed; instead, the development of disciplines should be addressed at the level of the Ministry of Education and Science, and moving education to the Kärdla center should be avoided.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Education and Science Minister Kristina Kallas announced that the horticulture specialization at Hiiumaa Vocational School will be reduced and replaced with a specialization for primary school graduates, so that Hiiumaa youth would have the opportunity for local vocational education, and by September 2026 a new specialization will be opened in Hiiumaa.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, declares the discussion of today’s eighth question closed.