Agenda Profile: Züleyxa Izmailova
Interpellation concerning the unspent budget funds of the Ministry of Education and Research (No. 805)
2025-10-07
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Political Position
The political position focuses on the contradiction between the Ministry of Education and Research’s budget surpluses (€107.9 million) and the simultaneous education cuts. The speaker adopts a stance of strong opposition regarding the sector's lack of funding and poor budget management, emphasizing that the situation is difficult to comprehend. This position is clearly results-oriented, criticizing the inefficiency of the ministry's operations.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The presenter demonstrates expertise in education budgeting and administration, citing specific data (e.g., €107.9 million in balances) and comparisons to previous years. Specific reforms and the magnitude of their cost savings in vocational education are also referenced (e.g., €200,000 per year). This knowledge is also based on the minutes of the Finance Committee meetings.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's rhetorical style is critical and data-driven, utilizing specific financial indicators and citing official sources. The tone is concerned and urgent, emphasizing how difficult the situation is to grasp given the severe lack of funding prevalent in the sector. The appeals target both logic (the numbers) and emotion (the impact on communities).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker’s pattern of activity includes submitting an interpellation to the minister and subsequently posing a clarifying question during the same session. Reference is also made to the active monitoring of media and Finance Committee session protocols, which demonstrates continuous monitoring of issues within the sector.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The opposition is aimed at the actions of the Ministry of Education and Research, specifically criticizing the ministry's failure to utilize its budget while simultaneously implementing negatively impactful cuts. The criticism is intense, centering on administrative inefficiency and the lack of impact assessments for the reforms.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Data unavailable
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker focuses strongly on regional problems, emphasizing the negative impact of education cuts on smaller regions and smaller schools. Specific examples cited include the situation at the Vana-Vigala Technical and Service School and in Hiiumaa. The negative consequences for local governments, businesses, and the community are stressed.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic viewpoints emphasize the need to use budgetary resources purposefully and efficiently, opposing the maintenance of a large budget surplus in a situation where the sector is underfunded. Spending that ensures the accessibility of education in regional areas is supported, and reforms whose economic savings are small compared to the damage caused are criticized.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue revolves around the accessibility and quality of education, particularly the retention of vocational training and smaller schools in regional areas. The speaker is vehemently opposed to any reforms that would diminish educational access for specific regions.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is aimed at overseeing the ministry's financial management and budget execution, utilizing the mechanism of formal inquiry (interpellation). The objective is to obtain answers concerning the accumulation of budget balances and guaranteeing their subsequent utilization, thereby preventing the loss of funds intended for the education and research sector.
2 Speeches Analyzed