Agenda Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
Query Concerning the School Reform (No. 611)
2024-04-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The speaker strongly opposes the government's school reform, particularly the closure of small schools and the flawed implementation of inclusive education, deeming it a catastrophic plan. Their political stance is value-driven and robust, centered on preserving regional balance and strengthening the viability of rural life. They stress that current policies have resulted in teacher burnout and a decline in educational quality.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding the practical pain points of the education system, particularly concerning teachers' actual workload and the negative impacts of inclusive education, highlighting the necessity of simultaneously serving as a subject teacher, special needs educator, and psychologist. He/She employs detailed arguments concerning the closure of school levels, the inadequate training capacity of higher education institutions, and regional policy solutions.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is sharply critical, insistent, and at times dramatic, employing strong emotional appeals that address the suffering of children and teachers and the destruction of rural life. The speaker uses cultural-historical quotes and paraphrases common sayings ("the pig will surely find mud," "it turned out as always") and concludes with a national and demographic warning.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively involved in the Riigikogu interpellation process, focusing on a series of educational topics that have emerged against the backdrop of the teachers' strike and school reform. He/She initiated the interpellation and is presenting five questions to the minister, demonstrating the exercise of parliamentary oversight.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the government, the Ministry of Education and Research, and the Reform Party, whose actions are being called a "cynical and disastrous plan" regarding the closure of small schools. The criticism is intense and focuses on the political pressure being used to entice local municipalities into closing schools. There is also opposition to the ideology of inclusive education in its current form.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is no direct information concerning cooperation, but the past governing experience of Isamaa and the Reform Party is mentioned ironically. Instead of advocating for a willingness to compromise, emphasis is placed on the need to wait for a new government that represents national interests and the interests of the Estonian people, one that would carry out genuine reform.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is heavily regional, stressing the necessity of ensuring life "everywhere in Estonia" and boosting the vitality of rural areas. The speaker opposes the closure of small, local schools and proposes redirecting urban children to rural schools to guarantee sufficient enrollment and salaries for those institutions.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives focus on the funding shortages faced by local municipalities and the government's pressure to cut costs, specifically at the expense of the education system. Criticism is leveled against the "insignificant sums" the government offers local authorities as a bonus for closing schools. It is stressed that short-term budgetary arguments should not result in decisions that have harmful long-term consequences.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is the quality of education, teacher burnout, and student mental health, all of which have deteriorated due to the ongoing implementation of inclusive education. Towards the end of the address, the future of education and rural life is strongly tied to national identity and demographic concerns, expressing the hope that Estonia will not be "flooded with immigrants and representatives of foreign nations."
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on opposing the ongoing school reform and submitting a formal inquiry (interpellation) to obtain answers regarding the reform's consequences. The ultimate goal is to achieve a genuine education reform in the future that properly considers regional balance, the best interests of children, and community proposals.
4 Speeches Analyzed