Agenda Profile: Madis Kallas
Inquiry regarding the reorganization of Kehtna Vocational Education Centre and Vana-Vigala Technical and Service School (no 733)
2025-05-06
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political stance is strongly opposed to the deepening of regional inequality, which stems from the vocational education reform and the threat of closure facing the Vana-Vigala school. The necessity for concrete steps and targeted solutions is emphasized to ensure the viability of settlements and prevent irreversible negative impacts on the region. The political framework is value-based and policy-driven, demanding greater responsibility from the state for regional development.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of regional policy and vocational education, directly connecting school closures with the marginalization of remote areas and ongoing demographic issues. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of conducting impact analyses and long-term planning when making decisions, while criticizing reforms that were implemented too hastily. To substantiate this expertise, examples are provided illustrating the consequences of population concentration in Harju County (specifically, long waiting lists for kindergartens and emergency rooms).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's rhetorical style is serious, concerned, and insistent, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the irreversible consequences. Both logical arguments (demographic data, lack of analysis) and emotional appeals (listening to people living in rural areas, injustice toward the region) are utilized. The style is formal, respectfully addressing the minister and colleagues, yet demanding specific actions.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in Riigikogu interpellations, focusing on regional challenges and noting that regional inequality has been discussed during four separate parliamentary inquiries. This demonstrates regular and consistent action in raising regional policy issues within the parliament.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is directed against the actions of the minister and the government, which are exacerbating peripheralization by rushing and without sufficient impact analysis. The opposition is policy- and procedure-based, demanding concrete corrective measures from the minister and a discussion of the issue within the government. It is emphasized that fighting the consequences has not been successful in previous practice.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker expresses hope and a certain degree of faith in the minister's responses, but stresses that faith alone is not enough and demands concrete actions. The willingness to cooperate is tied to the development of targeted measures, citing the principle of supporting rural schools and schools in island municipalities as a positive example.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is heavily regional and local, centering on maintaining the viability of the Vana-Vigala settlement unit and the surrounding area in Central Estonia. Emphasis is placed on the need for year-round habitation in rural areas, contrasting this trend with the concentration of the population in Harju County and the resulting problems.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views center on regional viability, stressing that for rural areas to function, it is necessary to keep schools, kindergartens, shops, community centers, and businesses open. This demonstrates support for local economic activity, which is directly tied to maintaining these institutions.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social focus is on education and regional inequality, highlighting the crucial role vocational institutions play in ensuring the viability of the region. The text also mentions the strain on social services (such as kindergartens and emergency medical care) in Harju County, which is caused by the concentration of the population there.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on developing new targeted measures to support vocational schools and colleges in order to curb regional decline. The goal is to avoid hastily made decisions with negative consequences in the education sector and to develop clear measures to achieve the best possible outcome.
2 Speeches Analyzed