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: 29
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 29m
AI Summaries: 29/29 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated an interpellation concerning the budget residuals of the Ministry of Education and Research (HTM), submitted by Anti Allas, Tiit Maran, and Züleyxa Izmailova. The questioners expressed concern that in a situation where the education sector faces significant underfunding and cuts are being implemented (particularly affecting vocational education in smaller regions, such as Vana-Vigala and Hiiumaa), the budget residual of the ministry's administrative area has grown to a significant €107.9 million.
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas explained the reasons for the accumulation of these residuals. She emphasized that a large portion of the residuals is covered by commitments and does not represent unallocated funds. The residuals are mainly divided into two categories: funds for research and development (e.g., €45 million related to the co-financing of twinning/teaming projects awaiting decisions from the European Commission) and resources for the transition to Estonian-language education. In the latter case, this involved incorrect planning, where the 2024 residual (€44 million over two years) had to be reallocated to subsequent years to cover future shortfalls, as the burden of salary increases grows annually. Kallas confirmed that approximately €18 million of the residuals intended for the transition to Estonian-language education, which will not be needed in the future, was returned to the State Treasury. The Minister refuted claims that the reorganization of vocational education (such as in Vana-Vigala and Hiiumaa) is linked to cuts, explaining that these changes stem from the decreasing labor market demand identified by the OSKA analysis and the need to ensure vocational training opportunities for basic school graduates in every county. The debate also raised issues concerning salary support for kindergarten teachers and the funding of hobby education, where the Minister expressed support for analyzing Iceland's per-capita funding system for hobby education.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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, 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 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 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 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, 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.