Inquiry Regarding the Closure of Rural Schools (No. 406)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
Date: 2024-01-08 19:04
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 33
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 54m
AI Summaries: 33/33 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu session addressed two interpellations, the first of which (concerning the VAT increase, submitted by Rene Kokk and Siim Pohlak) was left unprocessed due to the absence of the representatives of the submitters. The main focus of the session was the discussion of agenda item No. 11, which was the interpellation submitted by Riigikogu members Siim Pohlak, Helle-Moonika Helme, and Henn Põlluaas regarding the closure of rural schools (No. 406). Helle-Moonika Helme, the representative for the interpellation, highlighted the decisions to close schools in Lääneranna municipality (Metsküla, Lõpe, Virtsu, Varbla, Koonga) and the ensuing legal battles faced by parents, emphasizing that the closure of rural schools is an existential problem that deepens peripheralization and threatens Estonian statehood.
The interpellation was answered by the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, who agreed on the importance of the topic for the future of Estonia. The Minister introduced measures for preserving rural schools, particularly a new support measure for maintaining local primary schools (grades 1–6), stressing that the school commute for younger children must be short. Kallas explained that the need to reorganize the school network primarily concerns the upper secondary level (gymnasium level), where the number of students is small, and consolidating resources into larger gymnasiums would allow more money to be directed toward the salaries of basic school teachers. During the discussion, the issue of teachers' salaries and the upcoming strike, as well as the future of the gymnasium network in Ida-Virumaa (Toila and Kiviõli), were also addressed.
Decisions Made 1
No formal decisions were adopted during the discussion of the interpellations. The session was purely an informative discussion accompanied by the minister's responses.
Most Active Speaker
The most active politician was Helle-Moonika Helme, the representative of the petitioners. She introduced the interpellation, asked the minister a clarifying question, and delivered the closing statement during the debate. Helme (an opposition politician) sharply criticized the government's priorities, linking the closure of rural schools to anti-education decisions and state profligacy (citing, for example, Rail Baltic or the Ministry of Climate's expenditures), asserting that education policy should be a national priority. She stressed that the issue of rural schools is a broader question concerning the preservation of Estonian identity (Eestlus), Estonian culture, and national security.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced that we would continue with the interpellations: first, Inquiry No. 417 concerning the VAT increase, which will not be debated due to procedural issues preventing its processing, and then Inquiry No. 406 regarding the closure of rural schools, which will be introduced by Helle-Moonika Helme and answered by the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme noted that an interpellation regarding the closure of rural schools was submitted in May, addressing the parental litigation concerning the closure of schools in Lääneranna municipality, specifically Metsküla (the 'guerrilla school'), Lõpe, Virtsu, Varbla, and Koonga schools. She emphasized the necessity for a government-level response to the threat of peripheralization and the lengthening of the school commute, stating that she was awaiting the Minister's answers to five questions.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas asked the Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas to answer Riigikogu interpellation No. 406.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
The Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, confirmed that Estonia is committed to preserving rural schools and maintaining local primary schools through a two-part subsidy—teacher salary support and a fixed sum. The initiative focuses on shortening the school commute for young children, optimizing the school network, developing teacher-sharing and digital opportunities, and renovating modern school buildings using European Union funds, specifically citing the examples of Ida-Virumaa and Setomaa.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas thanked the esteemed Minister and called for questions, while simultaneously inviting Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to take the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart highlighted that the closure of rural schools stems from a teacher shortage and that smaller local governments are unable to keep pace with rising teacher salaries. She stressed that salary increases are the responsibility of the state, and she asked what measures are planned to prevent the strike and whether they will return to the negotiating table.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas stated that the main concern for rural schools is not primarily the recruitment of teachers. Rather, in the long term, the school network must be consolidated to guarantee full-time employment and a competitive salary. Achieving this depends on tripartite negotiations involving local governments, teachers' unions, and the state.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
This address is simply a request directed at Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets pointed out that Estonian-language schools in Ida-Viru County—Toila Gymnasium and Kiviõli Estonian Gymnasium—are in danger, and the ministry's financial pressures could lead to their closure, which would spell the end of the beautiful slogans promoting Estonian-language education.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas stated that almost all upper secondary schools in Ida-Viru County offer 100% Estonian-language instruction, with the exception of the Narva and Sillamäe state upper secondary schools (which operate on a 60:40 ratio). She added that the future of Toila Gymnasium and Kiviõli I Secondary School depends on the community's decision regarding whether or not to utilize European Union support for restructuring the school network or for school construction—a matter that is settled during EU negotiations, not through a ministry decision.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Jüri Ratas invited Jaak Valge to speak.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge pointed out that although the criteria for preserving rural schools appear to be satisfactory, he has doubts regarding the oversight, and he asked whether the ministry has a standard formula or model for streamlining the school network, and whether demographics and population policy are taken into account in the decisions.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas explained that population forecasts and migration calculators are used in planning the school network. Based on these tools, a slow decline in the number of residents in rural areas and the influence of Tallinn and Tartu are observed. Therefore, over the next 10 to 15 years, decisions must be made regarding the locations of upper secondary schools (gymnasiums) and the necessity of small rural schools, based on birth rate and internal migration forecasts.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas requests that Aleksei Yevgrafov be invited to speak.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The report addresses the potential closure of the upper secondary levels (gymnasium stages) at Toila Gymnasium and Kiviõli Secondary School, and asks whether the final decision has already been made or when it can be expected.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
The Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, stated that the school network reorganization project hinges on the consent of local municipalities, and the Toila rural municipality must decide by March whether to participate in the European Union program; if Toila opts out, it will be possible to build another basic school in Ida-Virumaa in cooperation with some other municipality, and the issue of shaping the Narva school network remains relevant. Simultaneously, Kiviõli I Secondary School is undergoing two parallel processes: the closure of the Russian school and the expansion of Estonian-language instruction. The 10th grade will likely not be opened at Kiviõli I Secondary School next year, and the 11th and 12th grades will complete their studies there, but children from the Russian basic school can integrate into Estonian-language education, and community involvement is ongoing.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme noted that the biggest problem is the teacher pipeline, and the proposed solution involves closing small schools and reorganizing the school network, whereby teachers from the closed schools would be directed to open schools. She then asked whether these two existential education issues and their proposed solutions are truly connected from the ministry’s perspective.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Jüri Ratas called upon Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
The report gives the impression that closing schools will not solve the problem of teacher recruitment; significantly more teachers will be needed in the future, along with greater attention to the needs of every student. Furthermore, resources must be directed toward the upper secondary level in such a way that the consolidation into larger gymnasiums allows for an increase in the basic school salary fund.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman called Evelin Poolamets to speak.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets is asking whether the Ministry of Education has discussed or considered the idea of consolidating Ukrainian youth under one roof in other counties as well, similar to the Tallinn Vabaduse School, in order to reduce the teachers' workload, and if there have been any developments regarding this issue.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Kristina Kallas stated that children of Ukrainian war refugees attend schools mainly in Tallinn and Harju County for reasons related to their place of residence, and they must not be forcibly relocated to other regions. Their academic success depends greatly on interactions with Estonians, therefore they must be provided with the necessary skills to thrive in Estonia and assistance should be given for their reintegration back into the Ukrainian education system.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanks the Minister, announces that there are no questions, opens the debate, and invites Helle-Moonika Helme, the representative of the interpellators, to the Riigikogu podium.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme highlighted that the money allocated for education is limited, and some local governments are channeling support funds toward closing schools. This jeopardizes the sustainability of small schools and reflects the problematic imbalance in the distribution of state funding.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
A short scene where the bell rings and it is asked if extra time is desired.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He is asking for extra time.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Jüri Ratas requests two more minutes.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helme stresses that there is a need for the minister to exert stronger influence and for priorities to be elevated within the government. Although the immediate topic is rural schools, this is a broader issue concerning Estonian education, culture, statehood, and security. Furthermore, the preservation of small rural schools and support for local communities are crucial.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked [the previous speaker] and invited Tõnis Lukas to the Riigikogu podium.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He emphasizes that the issue of rural schools is caught between two opposing forces—empathetic regional policy and the funding-driven confirmation of school network optimization—which threatens the sustainability of small schools. He calls upon the Ministry of Education and politicians to offer support to the Metsküla school community and to consider establishing a private school, arguing that state takeover is not realistic and that lasting support is necessary.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The speech simply states that something is permitted.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas emphasizes that the salaries of rural school teachers must be equal to the nationwide standard due to the cost of living. He adds that the state must find approximately 10 million euros to ensure that schools maintain a peaceful working environment and that quality education is guaranteed.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Thank you. There are no further requests to speak; the debate is closed, and the query has been answered.