Transition to Estonian-language education
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-01-17 14:29
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 17
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 17/17 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The session focused on the transition to Estonian-language education, regarding which Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev (Centre Party) posed a question to Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas. Belobrovtsev criticized the hasty implementation of the reform, highlighting that the problems currently emerging (teacher language requirements, shortages) were exactly those the Centre Party had warned about in December 2022 during the discussion of the bill, when the coalition rejected all substantive amendments. He asked whether the Minister considered the Centre Party to be the culprit for the resulting problems (as one newspaper editorial claimed) or those who thoughtlessly pushed the bill through.
Minister Kallas rejected the accusations, emphasizing that the C1 language requirement for teachers instructing in Estonian has been in force since 2011, and the only change is that the requirements will now be strictly enforced as qualification standards. She indicated that the problem arose from the unwillingness of school operators, including the City of Tallinn (where Belobrovtsev served as deputy mayor), to comply with the law earlier. Kallas stressed that the state has offered sufficient support and time (two years) to raise language proficiency from the B2 level to the C1 level. In a supplementary question, Aleksei Yevgrafov raised the issue of language proficiency among coaches in hobby schools and sports schools, to which the Minister replied that although there are no strict requirements in the law, there is a strong recommendation to use hobby education as an environment for practicing the Estonian language. At the end of the session, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart posed a procedural question regarding the right of ministers to ask questions to Riigikogu members during the information hour, which the chairman confirmed was part of the natural political debate.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Vadim Belobrovtsev was the most active speaker, presenting both a lengthy main question and a clarifying question, thereby serving as the primary initiator and critic (the opposition) of the debate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The topic of the third question is the transition to Estonian-language education, which will be presented by Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev to the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker stressed that the transition to Estonian-language education, set to begin on September 1, 2024, was ill-conceived and rushed, and that over 50 proposed amendments drafted by the Centre Party and education experts were dismissed by the coalition. This is why problems have now emerged, and while the Centre Party is being blamed, the actual responsibility rests with those who rushed the law through and refused to listen to the proposals.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar offered a brief invitation, saying: "Madam Minister, please!"
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas said that the language requirements for teachers have been the same since 2011—C1 for those teaching in Estonian and B2 for those teaching in Russian—and these requirements were not changed; the only modification is that the language requirements are now part of the qualification requirements, and the problem stems from the municipalities' insufficient readiness to legally appoint staff to schools accordingly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to ask a clarifying question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev emphasizes that the C1 requirement is now fully in effect, and without it, children cannot be taught in Estonian-language schools. He then asks whether the December 2022 reform reflected reality and whether the Center Party faction’s proposed amendments were merely an attempt to stall or draw attention, while simultaneously highlighting the shortage of teachers in schools and the potential worsening of the situation.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Kristina Kallas emphasized that the C1 language requirement for teachers has been valid since 2011, and starting September 1st, instruction in the 1st and 4th grades must be exclusively in Estonian. Teachers have two years to raise their proficiency from level B2 to level C1. The state has offered training and funding, and the implementation of the law can no longer be postponed, ensuring that children receive a quality education regardless of their home language. In short, despite the disputes surrounding the reform, the objective remains the same.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech emphasized that it is your time.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
He asks when the transition period will end and when we will actually start dealing with the transition.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked everyone and asked for one additional question for Aleksei Jevgrafov.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jevgrafov raises the point that although much has been discussed regarding Estonian-language education, teachers in hobby education and sports schools often lack adequate language proficiency, and many are of retirement age, which could potentially leave these schools without staff. He then asks whether the government is planning a transition to Estonian-language instruction in those institutions as well.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas confirmed that extracurricular activities must create an environment for using the Estonian language and allow students to practice the language they have learned. She also called on local governments to ensure broader opportunities for children from Russian-speaking families to use Estonian—through hobby education and student exchange projects—so that these children can acquire a high-level academic education.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Today we are concluding the consideration of the third item, and before we move on to the fourth item, we will discuss the procedure for conducting the session. Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, please.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker requested clarification regarding the procedure of the Riigikogu's information session (Q&A): specifically, whether questions are directed to the members of the government or the other way around. Furthermore, they raised concerns regarding the limited number of floor interventions and the opportunity to present a rebuttal.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks his good colleague.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks how the procedure for the Question Hour actually works.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stressed that the purpose of the information hour is debate conducted through answers and questions, and he demonstrated a respectful debate culture by stating that a rule cannot be established prohibiting a member of the government from addressing a member of the Riigikogu to seek clarification.