Draft law amending the Basic Education Act, the Education Act of the Republic of Estonia, and amending other acts related thereto (establishing compulsory education), second reading (644 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
Date: 2025-06-10 15:35
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 7
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 7/7 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The second reading of draft 644 regarding the amendment of the Basic Education Act and the Education Act of the Republic of Estonia, and the amendment of other laws related to it (establishing the obligation to attend school). The draft was submitted at the initiative of the Rural Affairs Committee and presented by the committee chairman, Urmas Kruuse. In a broader context, the draft also includes technical and wording improvements, as well as the correction of cross-references arising from the mutual alignment of three constitutional acts. It was stated that this is rather a collection of technical but important clarifications made before the new law comes into force in the autumn. During the preparation for the second reading, a joint amendment proposal was reached, relating to the capacity of local governments to enforce necessary regulations, which should ultimately be taken into account.
Decisions Made 1
It was decided by consensus to place the draft on the plenary agenda for June 10, 2025, and to conclude the second reading, followed by a final vote on June 18, 2025. Additionally, amendment proposal number 1, submitted by the Rural Affairs Committee and with the leading committee recommending that the second reading be concluded and all amendments be fully taken into account, was noted.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Vadim Belobrovtsev (pid: uexmw3AlP24), a member of the Centre Party faction; the position he represents is "other" (meaning not clearly designated as left- or right-wing. He emphasized that the draft concerns food aimed at children and increasing the state's involvement in covering costs arising from school meals and kindergarten catering, and drew attention to ongoing funding and its long-term sustainability. He described the current level of state funding (up to 1 euro per day for school meals) as inadequate and stressed that state support must increase to ensure quality food in both kindergartens and schools.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Today, under the second item on the agenda, we will consider the second reading of Bill 644, initiated by the Rural Affairs Committee, which amends the Preschool Education and Education Act and other related laws concerning the introduction of compulsory education. The rapporteur is Urmas Kruuse, Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee.
Urmas Kruuse
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Kruuse announced that the Rural Affairs Committee, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Research, submitted an amendment proposal extending the deadline for local government regulations to enter into force until August 31, 2026. Furthermore, it was decided to add the draft bill to the plenary session agenda on June 10, 2025, conclude the second reading, and hold the final vote on June 18, 2025, all by consensus.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller offered his thanks, announced that there were no questions, opened the floor for debate, and invited Peeter Ernits to proceed.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits explained that prior to the entry into force of the Pre-primary Education, Education, and Food Act, a corrective law must be adopted—serving as a legislative 'patch'—to fix the wording, references, and data, ensuring that the changes taking effect on September 1st do not create issues with food and drink for children.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
We find this bill to be good and we certainly support it. However, the state’s contribution to funding kindergarten and school meals has remained stuck at 1 euro per day in recent years. This is insufficient due to inflation, meaning the co-financing burden on local governments and parents is growing. Consequently, the Centre Party faction has proposed several times that the state’s share be increased by at least two euros, and we hope to see it adopted this time around.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The negotiations were concluded; one amendment to Draft Bill 644 was reviewed, and the termination of the second reading has been finalized.