Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
2024 Report by the Minister of Education and Research on the Implementation of the State's Long-Term Development Strategy "Eesti 2035" (Education Reforms)
2024-03-05
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the current education reforms, particularly concerning over-centralization and the closure of rural schools. The most significant problems are considered to be ideological experiments (such as inclusive education) and continuous, non-systemic reforms that are leading the education system toward catastrophe. The stance is value-based, emphasizing the importance of local initiative and historical precedent, in contrast to political "high-flying" or grandstanding.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates authority regarding the historical development and current operational issues of the education system, referencing 1898 Russian Empire literacy data and local examples (Metsküla School). The expertise is based on long-term personal observation and the diagnosis of systemic failure, rather than the presentation of technical data. He is able to connect educational problems with broader economic and political decisions, such as high energy prices.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaking style is combative and urgent, utilizing powerful metaphors (the image of the Titanic, the house of the Kilplased/Schildbürger) to underscore the catastrophic nature of the situation. The speaker contrasts himself with others as a "foolish person" who speaks of "life itself," setting this against political high-wire acts. The emphasis is on an emotional and reality-based appeal, urging listeners to abandon ideological euphemisms and confront the bleak reality.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker referenced their long-standing involvement, noting that over the past couple of decades, they have traveled extensively throughout Estonia and witnessed significant decline. The remarks were made during the presentation by the Minister of Education and Research, where the speaker also requested additional time, achieving consensus with colleagues on the matter. This operational pattern highlights direct, firsthand experience and the observation of real life.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is directed against the political system responsible for over-centralization and ideological experiments, accusing it of having become a "victim of ideological experimentation." The criticism is policy- and procedure-based, faulting the non-systemic nature of the reforms and the tendency to get bogged down by incorrect political-economic decisions. Although the minister was able to "answer well," this offers no solution to the situation, which points to dissatisfaction with the prevailing political direction.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is predominantly confrontational on substantive issues, demanding a confrontation with reality and the cessation of ideological experiments. The speaker notes ironically that consensus was only reached on the question of extra time, which was the sole example of cooperation. There is no indication of a substantive willingness to compromise regarding the main directions of education policy.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strongly regional, concentrating on the problem of closing rural schools and educational institutions in small settlements, which exacerbates the educational crisis. The case of Metsküla school is used as an example of the negative impact of over-centralization on local initiative and funding. It is stressed that the survival of rural schools is essential, even when student numbers are low.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives focus on the inefficient use of resources, where money is spent on renovating buildings and sports fields instead of supporting children and teachers. High energy prices are mentioned, which undermine the foundation of education, as well as the need to pay teachers adequate salaries to prevent them from leaving the system. The foundation itself is flawed, which makes it impossible to resolve these issues.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Education is a primary social issue where inclusive education is strongly opposed, often labeled as a failed ideological experiment that only deepens the ongoing crisis. The transition to Estonian-language instruction is also criticized, being viewed as something that exacerbates the catastrophe. The speaker frames these educational problems more broadly as ideological experiments, citing the establishment of marriage equality as another example.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on opposing current education policy decisions that enable over-centralization and the closure of rural schools. The priority is the termination of ideological experiments (inclusive education) and the criticism of the lack of systemic reforms. The speaker is a strong opponent of the existing policy, demanding the survival of rural schools.
3 Speeches Analyzed