Third reading of the Basic Education Act bill (419 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Date: 2024-12-11 20:39
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 18
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 34m
AI Summaries: 18/18 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Today, the Riigikogu discussed the draft Basic Education Act initiated by the Republic of Estonia for the 419th time, its third reading. The discussion primarily focused on how to better develop children with varying levels of linguistic preparedness in schools and kindergartens, and how to consider a child’s linguistic background and needs when forming groups. The Isamaa faction proposed amendments stating that a kindergarten director could form groups based on a child’s well-being and needs, including taking into account their level of Estonian language proficiency, and added the principle that children who speak Estonian as their native language should primarily be in Estonian-language groups. Questions also arose regarding the role and funding of local governments, and how the changes would affect the wider functioning of the education system and the attitudes of parents, teachers, and schools. The second part focused on the positions of various political parties, and ultimately, a final vote was reached, leading to the result of the law’s adoption.
Decisions Made 1
Negotiations concluded, and finally, bill 419 underwent its final vote. Fifty-four members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, twenty-five voted against, and there was one abstention. Bill 419 has been adopted as a law.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Tõnis Lukas (Isamaa faction), who led the discussion and presented a significant portion of the argumentation regarding the substantive enforcement of the draft. His position can be assessed as a right-wing (right-wing/right-leaning) political approach, as he represents the Isamaa faction, which holds a right-wing/conservative perspective in Estonian politics.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announces that today's sixth item on the agenda is the third reading of the Government-initiated Early Childhood Education Act draft No. 419, opens negotiations, and on behalf of the Isamaa faction invites Tõnis Lukas to the Riigikogu's speaking podium.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas emphasizes that separating children with varying levels of language preparation in classes or groups is methodologically justified so that everyone ultimately reaches the same level through Estonian-language instruction, and Tallinn plans to open classes in the fifth transition school for children whose mother tongue is Estonian, in order to ensure the effectiveness of the instruction and to avoid difficulties stemming from a Russian-language background.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks for three more minutes.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
A member of Isamaa, Tõnis Lukas, said that the draft Preschool Education Act, which would allow forming groups of children based on their Estonian language proficiency and well-being, and in which a grouping based on the Estonian language could advance with a larger share of Estonian-language children, would be discriminatory and unconstitutional, and if this provision is not changed, they will not support the draft; he calls on the coalition to initiate the next legislative amendment itself to add it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks that the colleague Vadim Belobrovtsev be invited to speak next on behalf of the Centre Party faction.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker states that the draft bill imposes new obligations and requirements on municipalities without additional funding, thereby undermining any form of support for local governments, and may place the burden on parents, which is why the Centre Party faction does not support it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker invited Kadri Tali on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction to the podium here in the Riigikogu.
Kadri Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kadri Tali represented Eesti 200 and called for securing a better future for education and culture through reforms, referring to the Education Minister's initiative for the draft Preschool Education Act, which for the first time establishes a requirement for Estonian-language instruction in preschool education, and she emphasized that experts in the field must lead the changes, not merely highlight topics.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
They thank and, on behalf of the Reform Party faction, request that Colleague Margit Sutrop be invited here to speak on the Riigikogu floor.
Margit Sutrop
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Margit Sutrop stated that the adoption of the Early Childhood Education Act creates a unified legal basis for providing Estonian-language preschool education, transforms kindergartens into high-quality educational institutions, increases the qualification requirements for teachers and childminders, and focuses on promoting the development of all children regardless of their home language.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar asks for three more minutes.
Margit Sutrop
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Margit Sutrop emphasizes that high-quality early childhood education and the creation of an Estonian-language developmental environment are crucial to level the playing field for children from different homes, improve their future prospects, and promote Estonia's sustainable development.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks and, on behalf of the EKRE faction, asks that colleague Helle-Moonika Helme be invited to the Riigikogu's rostrum.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He thanks his colleagues, notes that he could respond to many arguments, but there isn't enough time, and adds three more minutes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He asked for three more minutes.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helme claims that the transition to Estonian-language education within the framework of the Preschool Education Act endangers the rights of the Estonian constitutional nation-state and of Estonian children, leads to the risk of segregation and Russification, and EKRE stands against this draft bill, demanding that it be thrown in the trash.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar declared the negotiations finished and intended to bring to a final vote the draft bill 419—the Government-initiated Early Childhood Education Act—and called on the Riigikogu to take a position and vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Estonian Parliament adopted Bill 419 as law: 54 in favor, 25 against, and 1 abstention.