Interpellation concerning the unspent budget funds of the Ministry of Education and Research (No. 805)
Session: The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-10-07 00:41
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 51
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 29m
AI Summaries: 51/51 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item concerned the inquiry by Riigikogu members Anti Allas, Tiit Maran, and Züleyxa Izmailova regarding the budget balances of the Ministry of Education and Research (HTM). Inquirer Züleyxa Izmailova highlighted that despite the lack of funding in the education sector and cuts resulting from reforms (e.g., in Vana-Vigala and Hiiumaa), the budget balance for the HTM administrative area stands at 107.9 million euros, a figure that has grown compared to the previous year. This situation is difficult to comprehend given the sector's financial shortages.
Minister Kristina Kallas explained that most of the balances are funds covered by existing obligations that cannot be redirected elsewhere. The largest groups of balances are related to research and development (including 45 million euros for co-financing *twinning* projects, pending decisions from the European Commission) and funds allocated for the transition to Estonian-language instruction. The latter involved poorly planned sums that had to be reallocated to cover deficits in future years (especially 2027/2028). Kallas confirmed that the restructuring of vocational education in Vana-Vigala and Hiiumaa is not due to cuts, but rather stems from overproduction identified by the OSKA analysis, depreciated infrastructure, and the necessity of ensuring vocational training accessibility for basic school graduates in every county. Kallas also specified that the HTM returned approximately 18 million euros of unused transition funds for Estonian-language instruction to the State Treasury and implemented an additional cut of 5 million euros, on top of the already agreed-upon cut of 76 million euros. During the discussion, topics such as the salary fund for kindergarten teachers and the financing of hobby education (analysis of the Icelandic model) were also raised.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar moved on to the tenth item on the agenda, which was an interpellation submitted by Riigikogu members Anti Allas, Tiit Maran, and Züleyxa Izmailova concerning the budget balances of the Ministry of Education and Research, and he asked his colleague Izmailova to proceed with introducing the interpellation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar proceeded to the tenth item on the agenda, which was an interpellation by Riigikogu members concerning the budget balances of the Ministry of Education and Research, and asked his colleague, Züleyxa Izmailova, to present the interpellation.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova finds the situation incomprehensible where the Ministry of Education and Research's budget residual has swelled to 107.9 million euros, while the education sector simultaneously undergoes painful reforms and cuts. These measures negatively affect smaller regions and schools (for instance, in vocational education) without their impact having been sufficiently assessed. She demands explanations from the minister as to how the sector can consistently have leftover funds when a lack of money is simultaneously being claimed.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova highlights the growing budget surpluses of the Ministry of Education and Research (HTM), which have reached 107.9 million euros. She considers this situation unacceptable given the severe funding shortage in the education sector and the ongoing reforms and cuts that are negatively affecting regional access to education, citing the reorganization of vocational schools as an example.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked [her] and invited the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, back to the Riigikogu rostrum so that the Minister could answer the submitted interpellation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked [her] and invited Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas back to the Riigikogu rostrum so that the Minister could answer the interpellation that had been submitted.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
The Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, explained the reasoning behind the reorganization of Vana-Vigala, emphasizing that the objective was not cost savings. Instead, the decision was necessitated by the declining labor market demand resulting from the OSKA analysis, the lack of unique curricula at the school, dilapidated infrastructure, and difficulties in recruiting qualified teachers. She confirmed that support for students with special needs in the region will continue. Furthermore, the speaker provided an overview of the Ministry of Education's budget carry-over balances, clarifying that this is not unallocated funding, but is covered by existing commitments, such as co-financing for research projects. Finally, she addressed the unsuccessful planning of the transition to Estonian-language education, which required the 2024 surplus to be redirected to cover the deficits of subsequent years.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas explained the reasons behind the reorganization of the Vana-Vigala school, emphasizing that the decision was not driven by cost savings, but rather by shrinking fields of study, depreciated infrastructure, and difficulties in finding qualified teachers. She confirmed that vocational education in the area will continue, operating as a study location for the Raplamaa Applied College. Furthermore, she provided an overview of the Ministry of Education's transferable budget surpluses, noting that most of these funds are already earmarked for obligations, such as co-financing for research projects awaiting decisions from the European Commission. Other surpluses resulted from the initial incorrect financial planning for the transition to Estonian-language instruction, meaning the 2024 surplus must be allocated to cover deficits in subsequent years.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar presided over the session, thanking the audience, noting the increase in the number of questions, and subsequently yielding the floor to Jaak Aab.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab asks the minister to clarify whether the requirement for additional savings aimed at sectors expecting a pay rise (teachers, police officers, rescuers) constitutes a substantive cut of 18 million euros to the Ministry of Education and Research from carry-over budget funds, or if it is merely a technical shifting of funds between years.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab is asking the minister for clarification regarding the confusion that arose during the budget negotiations concerning the finding of necessary funds for the salary increase of teachers, police officers, and rescuers, which is to be achieved at the expense of additional savings. He specifically asks whether the 18 million euro cut demanded from the Ministry of Education and Research from carry-over funds constitutes a substantive saving or is rather a technical shifting between fiscal years.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas explains that the 18 million euros returned to the State Treasury was part of the remaining 44 million euro balance from the funding designated for the transition to Estonian-language education. This surplus arose due to the cancellation of the planned 2025 increase in the minimum teacher salary. She further emphasizes that, in addition to returning these unused funds, the Ministry of Education and Research must also implement an additional cut of 5 million euros over three years, on top of the 76 million euros already agreed upon.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas explained that 18 million euros was part of the 44 million left over from the budget designated for the transition to Estonian-language instruction. This surplus arose because of the cancelled teacher salary increase, and the sum was returned to the state treasury. Furthermore, the Ministry of Education and Research implemented an additional 5 million euro cut, on top of the already agreed-upon 76 million euro reduction.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to Reili Ranna.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand questioned the minister's assertion that the reorganization of vocational education in Vana-Vigala is unrelated to budget cuts, subsequently asking directly whether the changes planned in Hiiumaa are nonetheless due to the budget reduction mandate the minister had just described.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand, being compelled to address the topic due to the minister's responses, casts doubt on the minister's claim that the reorganization of vocational education in Vana-Vigala is unrelated to budget cuts, and asks directly whether the changes planned in Hiiumaa are connected to the cutback assignment described by the minister.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas emphasizes that the restructuring of vocational education, including in Vana-Vigala and Hiiumaa, is not due to budget cuts but rather a wide-ranging reform. The objective of this reform is to align curricula with the needs of the labor market (thereby reducing overproduction) and to ensure that vocational training is accessible to basic school graduates in every county, including Hiiumaa. She also noted that a similar massive reorganization has occurred within the Tallinn vocational education network, where the focus has shifted toward developing vocational skills for young people at the expense of continuing education for adults.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas explains that the reorganization of vocational education, including changes in Vana-Vigala and Hiiumaa, is not driven by budget cuts but by a comprehensive reform. The goal of this reform is to eliminate the oversupply of graduates in specialties where labor market demand is low, and to ensure that basic school graduates have the opportunity to pursue vocational studies in every county, including Hiiumaa, where this option is currently unavailable. She emphasizes that the reform will also impact vocational schools in Tallinn through massive restructuring and curriculum changes. Furthermore, the reform establishes the development of young people's vocational skills as the absolute priority, achieved by reducing the volume of continuing education for adults.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar turned the podium over to Madis Kallas, calling upon him to deliver a presentation.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas, citing budget constraints and the timing of the inquiry, focused on the issue of kindergarten teachers’ salaries, requesting the minister to consider a permanent agreement. Under this agreement, the state would increase the support fund for kindergarten teachers allocated to local municipalities by at least 50% whenever the minimum wage is raised, thereby ending the yearly uncertainty and debate.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Referring to a long-submitted inquiry and budget constraints, Madis Kallas asked the minister whether the state could agree with local municipalities that the kindergarten teachers' support fund would automatically increase by at least 50% whenever the teachers' minimum salary floor is raised. This measure is intended to end the annual dispute between local governments and the state over funding kindergarten teachers' salary increases.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas believes that the annual salary dispute involving kindergarten teachers could be resolved by channeling funds from the state support mechanism directly into the revenue base of local governments. This measure would be coupled with establishing a nationwide minimum salary rate for kindergarten teachers, which would be agreed upon through negotiations between employers and employees. She cited the municipalities of Lüganuse, Kohtla-Järve, and Kose, which participated in negotiations this year, as positive examples.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas believes that the yearly salary disputes would vanish if the state channeled funding directly into the revenue base of local governments. She also stresses the necessity of establishing a nationwide minimum salary for kindergarten teachers, which should be subject to negotiation between employers and employees. She commends the municipalities of Lüganuse, Kohtla-Järve, and Kose for participating in substantive negotiations regarding the minimum rate increase for the first time, setting an example for a genuine negotiation process.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to Züleyxa Izmailova, inviting her to speak.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova sought clarification from the minister regarding how it would be ensured that money allocated in the education and science budget, but which remained unspent, would not be lost to the sector.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova sought clarification from the minister on how they plan to ensure that funds allocated in the budget for the education and science sector, but which remained unspent, would not be lost to the sector.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas explained that the sum in question is covered by specific outstanding obligations, and therefore it will be carried over as a residual balance from the 2024 budget into the next fiscal year, becoming part of the 2025 expenditures.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas emphasizes that since the funds in question have specific obligations, they cannot be redirected elsewhere; rather, it is simply the transfer of payments from the 2024 budget to the 2025 budget, which is precisely what is reflected as the budget residue.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called Raimond Kaljulaid to the podium to deliver his presentation.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid criticized the long-standing issue of opacity and lack of clarity in the government's budget draft submitted to the Riigikogu. He pointedly asked an influential minister whether, in the minister's view, the education portion of the budget was sufficiently clear and comprehensible to members of parliament, and what exactly was hindering its ongoing improvement.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid raises a long-standing problem regarding the lack of transparency and clarity in the state budget drafts submitted by the government to the Riigikogu. He then asks an influential minister to assess whether the budget presentation specifically for the education sector is ideal and clear enough for members of parliament, noting that although the question might stray slightly from the main topic, he nevertheless hopes to receive an answer.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explains the provisions of the internal and procedural rules act to Raimond Kaljulaid, emphasizing that although interpellation No. 805 concerns the residual funds of the Ministry of Education and Research budget, the minister has the right to answer questions that deviate from the strict framework, and he cannot be prohibited from answering.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar explained the procedural aspects and the Rules of Procedure Act to Raimond Kaljulaid, clarifying that the interpellation under discussion, No. 805, concerns the budget balances of the Ministry of Education and Research. He then gave the floor to the Minister, stressing that the Minister has the right to respond to the question.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas supports activity-based budgeting, as it provides a clearer overview of the state's priorities, but sharply criticizes the confusing wording of the activity programs. She cites as an example the hiding of the reform for transitioning to Estonian-language instruction under a vague title, which prevents Riigikogu members from understanding where the money is actually being directed.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas supports activity-based budgeting but emphasizes that the activity programs are too vaguely worded—for example, the transition to Estonian-language instruction is hidden under a broad and ambiguous heading—meaning members of the Riigikogu lack a clear understanding of the state’s priorities and the actual use of the funds.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the audience and then handed the floor over to the next speaker, Lauri Läänemets.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets raises the issue of educational inequality and the crucial role that extracurricular activities play in mitigating it. He simultaneously criticizes the minister, pointing out that despite the state budget being generous, no additional funds are being directed towards improving the accessibility of these activities, even though the lack of funding exacerbates inequality and is a painful subject for many families.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets continues the earlier discussion on educational inequality, emphasizing the crucial role of extracurricular education in leveling the playing field and noting that the accessibility of these activities is a sensitive issue for many families. He asks the minister why, despite the generosity of the state budget, no additional funding has been allocated to support and improve the availability of extracurricular education.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas notes that the state budget is not generous, as most of the additional resources were spent on defense expenditures and salary increases within the education sector. However, she emphasizes the necessity of reforming the financing of hobby education, advocating for a per-capita funding system based on the Icelandic model. Under this system, a portion of the 200 million euro budget would be given directly to the child, allowing them to choose an activity that truly matches their interests, rather than having to settle for the selection offered by the local municipality.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas believes that the state budget is not generous, as the additional funds for education (60 million euros) were directed almost entirely towards salary increases, leaving many sectors without extra funding. She is particularly critical of the state support for hobby education (9.3 million euros out of a total volume of 200 million), advocating for a transition to the Icelandic model. This model would involve a per-capita funding system, where part of the hobby education funding is given directly to the child so they can choose a suitable extracurricular activity, ensuring access to activities offered in the private market as well, regardless of the parent's financial situation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to Riina Sikkut, asking her to approach the podium.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut, speaking as a member of the Finance Committee, informs the minister that the determination of activities and metrics within the activity-based budget is entirely at the minister's discretion, stressing that these must be appropriate for managing the sector and resolving political priorities. Furthermore, she warns that the committee will invite ministers in the spring to jointly review budget balances and the established objectives, which means preparation must begin now.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut, speaking as a member of the Finance Committee, explains to the Minister that the setting of activities and metrics for the activity-based budget is purely at the Minister's discretion. She emphasizes, however, that these must help manage the sector and resolve politically prioritized concerns. Furthermore, she informs the Minister that the Committee will invite ministers in the spring to review budget residuals and associated metrics, which is why preparations should begin now.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas expressed uncertainty regarding the timing of when the results of the Teaming projects would be finalized by the commission. She also doubted whether she would be able to share information this spring about the status of the 45 million euro co-financing.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas is currently working on setting the timeline for the commission's results regarding the team projects and expresses uncertainty about whether she will be able to provide definite information this spring on the status of the 45 million co-financing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded the discussion with the minister, commending it as a substantive and mutually supportive debate. He thanked the participants and subsequently gave the floor to his colleague Madis Kallas at the Riigikogu rostrum to open the negotiations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar commended the substance and constructiveness of the discussion, thanked the Minister for a successful debate, concluded the round of questions, and subsequently opened negotiations, inviting his colleague Madis Kallas to the Riigikogu podium.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas commends the minister for advocating for the teachers' salary issue, which has admittedly overshadowed other topics, but stresses that in addition to pay, it is vital to address the appreciation of the teaching profession, end the normalization of unqualified teachers, and, above all, restore the rights and authority of teachers in schools, which have clearly lost ground due to the expansion of the rights of parents and students.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas commended the minister for their efforts regarding teacher salaries, but emphasized that besides pay, it is crucial to focus on valuing the teaching profession. This involves ending the normalization of unqualified teachers and restoring necessary rights to educators (such as confiscating a mobile phone or removing a student from the classroom), rights which have been eroded due to the expansion of the rights of parents and children.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that since there were no further requests to speak, and the minister also did not wish to take the floor, he was closing the discussions and thereby concluding the consideration of today’s tenth agenda item.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that, as there were no further requests to speak and the minister also did not wish to take the floor, he closed the discussions and thereby concluded the consideration of agenda item number ten.