Inquiry Regarding Support Specialists (No. 487)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
Date: 2024-01-08 20:10
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 22
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 24m
AI Summaries: 22/22 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated Interpellation No. 487, submitted by Vadim Belobrovtsev and Tanel Kiik, as the 13th item on the agenda. The query concerned the shortage of support specialists (speech therapists, psychologists, special education teachers, social pedagogues) in the Estonian education system. Vadim Belobrovtsev, the representative of the petitioners, emphasized that the shortage of specialists has become particularly pressing, considering the impact of the COVID pandemic on students' mental well-being and the transition to Estonian-language instruction. He inquired about the government's concrete measures and strategy for increasing the number of specialists. Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas confirmed that this is a growing problem, noting that according to OSKA reports, approximately 620 additional support specialists will be needed over the next seven years. The Minister explained that although university admission numbers have been increased and competition for these specializations is very high, a large proportion of graduates move to the private sector, where salaries are higher. Kallas considered raising the salaries of school psychologists to the private sector level unrealistic and saw the solution in local governments moving towards outsourcing the service. During the discussion, Belobrovtsev also raised the issue of the rigidity of language requirements, especially for specialists working with children with special educational needs (SEN). Minister Kallas clarified that the language requirements for support specialists (B2/C1) have always been in force and temporary concessions cannot be made regarding them, unlike certain professional qualification requirements for teachers.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Vadim Belobrovtsev was an active interpellator who introduced the inquiry, asked a clarifying question, and participated in the negotiations, emphasizing the urgency of the issue and the need for a more flexible approach regarding language requirements. (other)
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is moving on to the next interpellation. Item 13 on the agenda is the consideration of the interpellation concerning support specialists (No. 487), submitted on May 13, 2023, by Vadim Belobrovtsev and Tanel Kiik. The Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, will respond to it, and the representative of the questioners was asked to introduce the interpellation to the public.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presentation emphasized that the shortage of support specialists—including speech therapists, psychologists, special education teachers, and social pedagogues—in Estonian schools is becoming increasingly acute, a situation that has been exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the minister was asked to provide a concrete plan and specific measures aimed at increasing the number of these specialists and raising public awareness.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Speaker, from the Riigikogu rostrum, requests that the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, respond to interpellation No. 487.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas, speaking before the Riigikogu, acknowledged that the need for support specialists in schools is significant and growing, and the number of graduates fails to meet the future workforce demand. Therefore, the number of study places must be increased and solutions must be found, such as procuring services through local governments or the private sector, because demand remains high.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Jüri Ratas addresses Aleksei Yevgrafov with a request.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The presentation raised the question of whether the ministry had analyzed the inclusion of Ukrainian refugees to expand the teacher pool, and recommended developing a program that would teach them Estonian and allow them to take up employment in their respective field.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Kristina Kallas stated that support specialists must possess C1 level language proficiency, and these language requirements will apply uniformly to everyone, including Ukrainian war refugees. She added that while reaching the B2 or C1 level within two years may not be feasible, no exceptions will be granted. If the requirements are enforced for support specialists working in Russian schools, they must be enforced just as strictly for those arriving from Ukraine. Furthermore, if a child requires the service in Estonian, this must be guaranteed, and a guarantee of linguistic accessibility must be in place, as the education system is transitioning entirely to Estonian-language instruction.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to the stage.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev stated that the Culture Committee discussed children with special educational needs (SEN children) and the role of support specialists. He noted that although a teacher has the possibility, during a one-year contract, to improve their Estonian language skills and continue working, the same opportunity is not available to support specialists. Therefore, they are requesting a change in the law so that support specialists can also remain employed for one year while simultaneously learning Estonian.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Jüri Ratas grants the questioner time and asks the Minister to respond.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev asks whether the ministry has a plan to do something like that, and adds an apology.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas stated that there are no exceptions to the language requirements for teachers, and starting August 1, 2024, all teachers must comply with these requirements. She noted that while temporary concessions may be made regarding professional qualifications, they will not be made for language requirements.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas calls upon Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to speak.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart stressed that there is a high demand for support specialists. She noted that addressing the mental health issues faced by both young people and adults requires ensuring that school psychologists and other necessary assistance are accessible through schools. Furthermore, she proposed creating a centralized system or fund that local governments could utilize as a single point of contact to find the appropriate support specialists.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
She explains that the proposal was for the state to hire support specialists and then assign them to local municipalities as contract staff.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
During the speech, the Minister is asked to respond, and it is stated that we lack this kind of opportunity for dialogue.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Kristina Kallas discussed the Rajaleidja centers and the state's provision of counseling for children with special needs, and said that the creation of centers for school psychologists and speech therapists at the national level is not very likely, because smaller local municipalities have established service centers from which schools can access services, and some of these are purchased from the private market.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the minister, noted that there were no further questions, announced that the debate would now be opened as requested, and invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presentation highlights the shortage of support specialists and low salaries in schools, the urgent need for a long-term national strategy supported by three-, five-, and ten-year plans, and more flexible legislation. This is crucial both to aid the transition to Estonian for students with special needs whose mother tongue is Russian, and to place the development of every child at the center.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker announced that there were no further requests to speak and gave the floor to the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Kristina Kallas emphasized from the Riigikogu podium that the language requirements for support specialists have not changed—Estonian language proficiency at level B2, and C1 for psychologists, are still in effect. However, a new requirement is being added: support services must also be provided in the language of instruction, and the language requirements in Russian-language schools will remain unchanged.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Jüri Ratas thanks the Minister, notes that the telephone is ringing, concludes the discussion, and announces that the query has been answered.