Agenda Profile: Liina Kersna
Draft law amending the Adult Education Act and amending other acts in consequence (465 SE) – second reading
2024-12-18
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political position is one of strong support for amending the Adult Education Act to codify the concept of micro-qualifications and ensure the quality of curricula. The approach is policy- and procedure-centric, emphasizing the need to align legislation with university practices. We support the rapid adoption of the draft bill, proposing a final vote as early as January. Taxpayer interests are also being protected by opposing the drastic reduction of the state fee.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates thorough knowledge of adult education regulations, particularly regarding the funding of micro-credentials and the state order for continuing education. Technical terms such as "credit point," "state fee," and "quality assessment agency costs" are employed, and the positions of the ministry and stakeholders are explained in detail. The expertise also covers the procedural aspects of drafting legislation and the necessity of implementing the required systems.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal, procedural, and informative, typical of a committee rapporteur introducing the preparation for the second reading of a draft bill. The speech is logical and data-driven, relying on facts, the content of the proposed amendments, and summaries of stakeholder opinions. Emotional appeals are absent, with the focus centered on a neutral procedural explanation.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker's activity pattern shows intensive work in the Culture Committee, citing two sittings in December and a wide-ranging stakeholder engagement meeting on December 3rd. The work focuses on managing the legislative process and coordinating timelines, including a proposal to defer the bill's effective date.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The opposition is directed at the proposal put forward by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Association of Training and Consulting Firms to reduce the state fee for quality assessment from 1,450 euros to 145 euros. The criticism is both political and economic, emphasizing that the state fee must cover the agency costs of the quality assessment process to avoid burdening the taxpayer. The ministry's stance on this issue received strong support.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The cooperation style is open and inclusive, emphasizing close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research and extensive involvement of stakeholders (including the Rectors' Council, the Unemployment Insurance Fund, and the Chamber of Commerce). The Commission accepted the Rectors' Council’s proposal regarding the crediting of study points, which demonstrates a readiness to take expert input into account.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Insufficient data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic viewpoints stress fiscal responsibility regarding state fees, requiring the quality assessment fee to cover agency costs (1,450 euros) to avoid extra expense for the taxpayer. This indicates a preference for costs being borne by the service consumer and resistance to supporting private sector competition at the expense of the public budget.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social theme is education and lifelong learning, focusing on improving the quality of adult training and the formalization of micro-credentials. The objective is to ensure the credibility and formal recognition of continuing education programs.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on the deliberation of the Act Amending the Adult Education Act (465 SE), which aims to legally establish the concept of micro-qualifications and supplement the funding bases for state procurement with credit points. The speaker is a strong supporter of the draft bill and the coordinator of the proceedings, who proposed postponing the entry into force date until April 1, 2025, to ensure the systems are fully operational.
1 Speeches Analyzed