An inquiry regarding the narrowing scope of Estonian as a language of scientific study and the quality of university education (no. 764)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session
Date: 2025-06-02 23:26
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 29
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 43m
AI Summaries: 29/29 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item addressed the interpellation (no. 764) presented by members of the Riigikogu, Jaak Valge and Leo Kunnas, on May 5, 2025, regarding the use of the Estonian language as a language of science and in relation to the quality of university education. The interpellation is a continuation of two previous interpellations held on March 17th, and primarily raises the question of whether trends in Estonian-language science and education, and the expansion of the Estonian language in public spaces, have narrowed recently, and what aspects of these could be better received in politics and administration. The data and points of contention covered include the language infrastructure for doctoral studies (Estonian vs. English abstracts and works), internationalization, the role of foreign students and their language learning potential, and the level of visibility of the Estonian language globally. Main tensions arose concerning whether English-language education increases international visibility and the quality of education, and whether the promotion of Estonian as a language of science is sustainable and receiving sufficient support.
The discussion also emphasized the need to review integrated funding models and administrative agreements to ensure the sustainability of Estonian-language research and Estonian-language education, and raised questions regarding the integration of foreign students, the acquisition of the Estonian language, and the language proficiency levels of doctoral graduates. Critical points were referenced with statistics, including the language of doctoral dissertations, the foreign-language component of master's programs, and the impact of language use by students and those participating in the labor market. In conclusion, the agenda item’s purpose was reporting and discussion on the status of the Estonian language, the development of the language of science, and the sustainability of academic quality, in light of specific indicators and international connections.
The topics reviewed included: 1) The role of preserving and developing the Estonian language as a language of science and the impact of language use in public spaces; 2) The impact of English-language learning on international visibility and scientific performance indicators; 3) The language of doctoral dissertations (Estonian vs. English) and the growth of teaching staff; 4) The effectiveness of training and integrating foreign students, and language learning opportunities; 5) The language selection for websites and information accessibility, and the image of national language policy in an international context.
Decisions Made 1
A political decision was not made based on this inquiry; the discussion continues and it was characterized as a decision that further action requires additional analysis and coordination with various ministries and universities. There is a need to assess how national measures and administrative agreements ensure the sustainable development of Estonian-language science and its responsiveness to the international context.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker, Member of Parliament Jaak Valge (pid vl68NYOImIY)’s representative role involved directing the question-and-answer session and posing questions. His participation extends beyond the formal court boundaries, and he represents conservative or viewpoints other than those formed by the government, but his precise position (left, right, or other) is marked as 'other'.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Dear colleagues, we have concluded the handling of the fifth item on the agenda and have moved on to the sixth: Interpellation No. 764, submitted by Jaak Valge and Leo Kunnas on May 5, 2025, concerning the narrowing scope of the use of the Estonian language as a language of science and the quality of university education. Our good colleague Jaak Valge is already moving toward the Riigikogu rostrum to present it.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge claims that the use of Estonian-language scientific language, as well as the language used in Estonian higher education and the public sphere, is contracting, and to curb this trend, migration policy must be changed and universities' administrative agreements must be fulfilled, emphasizing that defenses should take place in Estonian because defending in one's mother tongue is academically more productive.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the speaker for the strong presentation, expressed hope that the Minister had identified the questions, or at least that they exist in writing, and stated that, for the third time, you now have the opportunity to hear the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Kristina Kallas asserts that the scope of the Estonian language has broadened, and English-language instruction increases international visibility and is not a reason to hinder the advancement of Estonian science. However, the development of Estonian-language research, along with the continuous improvement of PhD students' Estonian language skills and the integration of foreign students, must be pursued.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi said that you have one minute and must provide five answers.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas said that both the University of Tartu and Tallinn University of Technology operate sectoral terminology commissions that are actively developing Estonian-language scientific terminology, focusing on its creation, standardization, and definition. She added that ten terminology commissions are working at TalTech this year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi said that the questions were very detailed, and the answers were likewise, and it was not possible to answer everything in 15 minutes, as only 30 seconds remained, and he invited Tõnis Lukas to the stage.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The writing and defense of doctoral theses in English is an international practice, but there is significant variation across countries and fields. In small countries, this affects self-confidence and the preservation of cultural identity, exemplified by the practice at the University of Tartu, where an external opponent is required, and English shapes the theses even where it is not necessary. Lukas asks whether the system should be reformed and whether faculty should be trusted more than in Germany.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
It was a brief thank you.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas is pondering whether the work is ready for defense or not.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Kristina Kallas emphasized that the research resources of Estonia and Germany are not comparable, and the quality of humanities and linguistics relies on international dialogue and feedback provided through academic articles, which helps maintain Estonian linguistics at a world-class level.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge stresses that studying while working harms the quality of education and is awaiting proposals from the minister that would focus primarily on developing the Estonian language skills of foreign students, because they have come here to study, not to work.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Jaak Valge to ask his question.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Kristina Kallas stated that the work ban for foreign students is unwarranted, arguing that the opportunity to work in Estonia helps boost their progress in the Estonian language and increases the likelihood of them remaining in Estonia after their studies. This is because work ties them to Estonia and improves their language proficiency, even though it does take some time away from their studies.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is merely a request to invite Riina Sikkut.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut inquired, based on the OSKA reports, about the plans for meeting the workforce needs over the next ten years, and whether there are intentions to admit foreign students and teach them Estonian during their studies so that they could be professionally employed in their field upon receiving their diploma.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Kristina Kallas stated that there is currently no plan to bring in massive numbers of foreigners, but flexible study programs are being developed for foreigners in certain fields. For instance, the Tartu Health Care College offers a master’s program for radiology technicians already working in Estonia, which also provides the opportunity to work and learn the Estonian language.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech is simply a request to invite Leo Kunnas to speak.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He continues Jaak Valge’s question and asks what specific restrictions exist in Estonia regarding the employment of international students compared to Estonian students.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
The main restriction is that a foreign student's residence permit in Estonia is based on their studies, not on employment. If they focus solely on work, fail to study, and fall behind academically, the residence permit will be revoked.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience, announced that there were no further questions, opened the floor for discussion, and told Jaak Valge that the second part of the lecture was starting.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge stated that the trend over the last five years indicates a narrowing of the sphere of use for the Estonian language, and the adoption of English has not improved academic success. He cited the decline of the University of Tartu in the Leiden Ranking as an example, stressing that if research becomes English-language, Estonian-language science becomes inaccessible to the public, and therefore the use of the Estonian language and specialized terminology must be guaranteed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He said they would give three more minutes.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge confirmed that foreign students do not guarantee a higher educational standard, and that the availability of Estonian language instruction and transit training must be increased. This is because data from OSKA and the Statistical Office, along with the conclusions of the National Audit Office, show that a large proportion of foreign students leave Estonia within three to five years due to the language barrier and a lack of job opportunities. Furthermore, he criticized the long-term plan for the Russian-language website, stating that it resembles the Russian Ministry of Education.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks everyone and confirms that there are still requests to speak, then calls upon Tõnis Lukas to give his speech, to which Tõnis says something from the floor.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas is asking for three more minutes for the listeners.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requests three minutes of additional time.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas emphasized that the sustainability of Estonian-language higher education and science hinges on ensuring the use of Estonian, achieved through the language proficiency of doctoral students, the language requirements stipulated in administrative agreements, and the provision of work guidance in Estonian for teaching staff. He stressed that the dominance of the English language does not guarantee quality, and the statistic of 19 Estonian-language doctoral theses out of 258 submitted in the last year demonstrates the necessity of increasing Estonian-language research and safeguarding its international standard, in order to prevent attitudes stemming from an inferiority complex from hindering the development of Estonian-language education and culture.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that there were no further requests to speak, closed the debate, and concluded the consideration of this agenda item.