First reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Higher Education Act (291 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting.
Date: 2024-02-07 16:24
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 30
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 51m
AI Summaries: 30/30 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the first reading of Bill 291, which proposed amendments to the Higher Education Act, initiated by the parliamentary group of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE). The purpose of the bill was to ensure the continuation of Estonian-language instruction and to de-ideologize universities by setting specific restrictions on foreign-language instruction in public-law and state professional higher education institutions. Presenter Jaak Valge (EKRE) emphasized that Estonian higher education faces several fundamental problems, including a decline in the quality of studies, a mismatch between specialists and labor market needs, and excessive Anglicization, particularly in doctoral studies. Valge also criticized making internationalization the mission of universities and a criterion for performance funding, calling it ideological and a waste of Estonian taxpayers' money.
During the debates, representatives of other parliamentary groups (Margit Sutrop, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart) pointed out that the solutions proposed by the bill were too radical and that the real reason for opening English-language curricula was the underfunding of higher education following the free higher education reform. It was also emphasized that internationalization is essential for ensuring the quality and international influence of Estonian science. The lead committee—the Cultural Affairs Committee—taking into account the government's position and the outcome of the debate, decided to propose rejecting the bill, which was subsequently confirmed by a vote.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 291 (Draft Act amending the Higher Education Act) was rejected in the first reading. 55 members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, 18 against.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Jaak Valge (EKRE), the presenter of the draft legislation. He provided a comprehensive overview of the bill's content, explained its rationale, and answered questions, defending his faction's stance, which centered on prioritizing Estonian-language higher education and national studies, as well as limiting internationalization. Valge represented a right-wing, national-conservative position in the debate.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
As part of the third item on the agenda, Draft Act 291 on the amendment of the Higher Education Act, initiated by the faction of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia, will be introduced for its first reading. The rapporteur will be Riigikogu member Jaak Valge.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge emphasizes that Estonian higher education primarily needs the preservation of Estonian-language instruction and the improvement of teaching quality, because the problems—incompatibility with labor market needs, declining quality, English-language instruction, and the large share of foreign students—have been known for years, and internationalization must be used as a tool, not as an end goal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the rapporteur, notes that there are a number of questions, and asks Mart Helme to pose those questions.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She seeks an assessment of the current state of national studies research within the framework of the existing higher education policy, and evaluates the potential extent to which the submitted draft bill might bring about positive changes.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge points out that the funding allocated to Estonian humanities and national studies is insufficient to meet societal needs. This is evidenced by the fact that a monograph only yields three times more points than a single article, and the number of applications submitted exceeds the available funding capacity by approximately 20 to 30 times.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chair thanked Margit Sutrop and invited her to speak.
Margit Sutrop
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Margit Sutrop raises the concern that Estonian-language doctoral curricula restrict the study opportunities and mobility of foreign students. She then brings up the example of existing English-language master's programs, questioning whether the same practice could be applied to PhD programs.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge stated that English-language instruction is necessary in certain cases and should not be restricted by fixed percentages, as limitations could complicate the study of specific fields, and these percentages can be flexibly distributed among all public universities and state professional higher education institutions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He/She has the opportunity to ask a second question, and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart is asked to come forward.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker argued that the underfunding of higher education institutions compels them to open English-language study programs, and in light of the National Audit Office's report, a solution must be found to curb the emigration of both foreign students and young Estonians seeking work abroad, citing, for example, the current state of medical faculty training.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge emphasized that the impact of foreign students on university budgets is difficult to assess, and they cannot be treated merely as a source of profit. However, one possible solution would be an intergovernmental agreement under which countries would cover the cost of Estonian education if a specialist trained in Estonia were to enter their workforce.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks the courteous waitress and praises her as a very good performer, adding jokingly that the microphone would feel better if it weren't constantly being moved.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She stresses that he/she must also be kept in shape.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stressed that they must not be permanently moved, and then turned to Signe Kivi, pleading.
Signe Kivi
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Signe Kivi notes that the draft bill was submitted last year and is scheduled for rapid entry into force, and she asks how many times such an identical draft bill amending the Higher Education Act has been defended in the Riigikogu chamber.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He noted that the percentages applicable to the first and second educational levels will remain the same, and the third level requires changes based on the draft bill presented last year, which is scheduled to enter into force in 2027/2028. However, it is actually already in effect now; if there is no reaction, it is their duty to point out the errors in the legislation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
There are no further questions; Kadri Tali, member of the Culture Committee, will present the positions and decisions of the Steering Committee.
Kadri Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Cultural Affairs Committee discussed the preparations for the first reading of Bill 291 of the Higher Education Act, which was initiated by the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE). They heard the government's position and debated the language requirements for doctoral theses. The committee decided to appoint Kadri Tali as the rapporteur on behalf of the committee and to include the bill on the plenary agenda for December 5, 2023. However, by a vote of 8 in favor and 3 against, the committee recommended that the bill be rejected.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience, announced that there were no questions, and opened the debate, inviting Margit Sutrop on behalf of the Reform Party faction.
Margit Sutrop
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Margit Sutrop emphasizes that although she shares the need for high-quality Estonian-language higher education, the EKRE bill has not clearly identified the actual problems. This is because the decline in quality is being linked to English-language instruction and foreign students, whereas the real concern lies in the lack of student loans and needs-based support mechanisms, coupled with the heavy workload of students. This heavy workload forces faculty members to lower academic requirements. Therefore, what is needed is increased funding and streamlined support options, and the role of English-language instruction and foreign students should be addressed separately, with a clear explanation of their necessity.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi requested three additional minutes.
Margit Sutrop
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Margit Sutrop emphasizes that foreign students are necessary for creating an international learning environment in Estonia, filling labor market gaps, and increasing cultural and economic impact. She notes that through English-language curricula and mobility, the quality of education improves and international cooperation in Estonian science and economy increases.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The EKRE faction thanks [the House] and requests that the Riigikogu grant the floor to their good colleague, Mart Helme.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme stressed that Estonia, as a nation-state, must keep national sciences and the Estonian language (as the language of scientific discourse) central to its focus. Furthermore, the University of Tartu, as the national university, must champion national objectives, avoiding excessive internationalization and the dominance of English, both of which pose a threat to the development of the Estonian language and the cohesion of its universities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi requests two additional minutes.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The age of artificial intelligence highlights the necessity of keeping the Estonian language—as both a language of science and a language of culture—and national universities firmly in focus. The draft bill aims to underscore these priorities for higher education institutions using specific figures and percentages.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the assembly and, speaking on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction, requested the Riigikogu floor so that his colleague Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart could address the chamber. He also requested an additional three minutes.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart acknowledges that, although EKRE's draft bill is radical, the problems that have arisen in higher education funding have led to the closure of Estonian-language curricula and the expansion of English-language curricula, coupled with an increase in the number of foreign students. This situation threatens the development of the language, democracy, and the economy. Furthermore, in light of the State Audit Office's report, it is necessary to draw up a financial model, achieve a consensus-based funding level of 1.5% of GDP, ensure access for young people from diverse backgrounds, and guarantee that graduates remain in the country and help drive the economy forward.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced the lead committee's proposal to reject Bill 291 during its first reading, and subsequently put the proposal to a vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Bill 291 was rejected upon its first reading and is thereby dropped from the legislative process; 55 members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, 18 against, and 0 abstained.