Query Concerning the School Reform (No. 611)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-04-08 22:04
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 27m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Agenda item 6 addressed the Riigikogu inquiry concerning the school reform, submitted by Helle-Moonika Helme, Anti Poolamets, Rene Kokk, Mart Helme, Martin Helme, Varro Vooglaid, Jaak Valge, and Henn Põlluaas. The inquiry arose in the context of questionable solutions related to teacher workload, the functioning of inclusive education, and the school network reform. It reflected a broader concern regarding the sustainability and regional balance of the Estonian education system. The initiators of the inquiry raised the risk that high additional workload and continuous staffing needs could lead to teachers leaving the profession, and that the closure of small schools could, in turn, undermine the proximity of schools to students' homes and disrupt the functioning of local communities.
Minister Kristina Kallas provided a detailed response regarding the natural functioning of inclusive education, the definitions of support services and special support, and their funding. She clarified that the implementation of inclusive education does not entail treating 24 diverse students uniformly at all times, but rather organizing the necessary support through the involvement of support teachers or assistant teachers, and allocating sufficient resources in the form of special support and enhanced support. Furthermore, the coordination of the school network, the special support measures planned for the preservation of small schools, and cooperation with local municipalities regarding school retention were addressed. The primary objective was to determine how to ensure the local accessibility of basic education while simultaneously alleviating teacher workload, without the state closing down the school network based on flimsy pretexts.
Decisions Made 1
A ministerial response was provided to the inquiry; however, no specific decision concerning the establishment of the school network or education policy was formalized during the session. It was jointly acknowledged that discussions and short- and medium-term measures will continue, but concrete legislative decisions will not be made on this specific item.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was pid WgDOnz_gvIs, through whom the national appeal of the questioners was presented, and reforms concerning inclusive education and the school network were discussed. The representative is a political figure with a right-wing orientation (right-wing/part of the current ruling legal bloc). Their speeches adopted a critical and expressive tone regarding schools and regional development, and called for impartial attention to the role of local government in maintaining these schools.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The discussion centers on Interpellation No. 611 regarding the school reform, which is being answered by the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, and introduces the public to the speech delivered by Helle-Moonika Helme, the representative of those who submitted the query.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme highlighted that the education sector has been dealing with issues concerning the unified Estonian school, teacher salary increases, school reform, and the additional burden imposed by inclusive education. She noted that this situation is increasing teacher attrition and worsening students' school experience due to the closure of small schools, and consequently presented five questions for inquiry to the esteemed minister.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas requested that the Speaker of the Riigikogu summon the Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, to respond to Inquiry No. 611.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
The Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, confirmed that the additional workload stemming from inclusive education must be addressed through support specialists and extra funding to meet the needs of children requiring general, enhanced, and special support. Schools will not be closed; ensuring access to basic education close to home and maintaining small schools remains a priority. Simultaneously, discussions are underway regarding standard working hours and the allocation of tasks.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas concludes the minister's speech, thanks him, and announces that there are no questions.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas simply said: "Aha, understood."
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas opened the proceedings and invited Helle-Moonika Helme, the representative of the interpellators, to take the floor at the Riigikogu rostrum.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helme thanked the Minister for the answers and stressed the importance of inclusive education. However, he warned that the plan to close small schools and centralize the school network jeopardizes access to local schooling and forces children to commute by school bus or travel to the city, which, he argued, reveals the true intent of the state and municipal education policy. He concluded by calling for a reform of state and regional policy, requesting further consideration and additional time to present a concrete proposal.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas asks how much additional time is desired.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech focuses on the three-minute duration.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas asks for three minutes.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme, advocating for a regional balance policy, calls for an end to the closure of rural schools and proposes directing city children to these schools. The goal is to fill the schools, ensure teachers have adequate workload and salary, thereby strengthening life in rural areas, and implementing a true education reform guided by the interests of children and the proposals of local communities.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The addresses have concluded, the interpellation has been answered, and the deliberation on the sixth item on the agenda is finished.