Agenda Profile: Liina Kersna
Second Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Preschool Institution Act, the Vocational Educational Institution Act, and the Basic School and Upper Secondary School Act (Bill 231 SE)
2024-04-03
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is one of strong support for the draft amendment bill concerning the Pre-school Institutions Act, the Vocational Educational Institutions Act, and the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act. The aim is to establish legal grounds for removing students from the lists in order to free up study places for other children, who are referred to as "Estonia's own children." The position is clearly policy-driven, focusing on the administrative streamlining and efficiency of the education system.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in education legislation and Riigikogu (Parliament) procedural rules, citing specific dates, the legislative history of the bill, and the decisions made by the Culture Committee. He/She also provided a concrete assessment of the bill's potential impact, mentioning that if the amendment passes, 200 to 300 study places will likely become available.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal and procedural, concentrating on explaining and justifying the history and procedural steps of the bill. The speaker employs logical argumentation to underscore the necessity of the legislation, while simultaneously expressing regret and mild annoyance regarding the previous obstruction. He describes the draft as a "very important and good bill," offering a positive assessment.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker's pattern of activity is linked to active participation in the legislative process, specifically by addressing the Riigikogu during the second reading of the draft bill. He/She refers to the intensive work carried out in the Cultural Affairs Committee and sets a clear timetable for further proceedings, projecting the third reading for April 10th.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is aimed at the EKRE parliamentary group, who are accused of procedural obstruction through the submission of a massive number (200) of amendments. The speaker claims that the amendments were filed with the goal of hindering the work of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament), even though EKRE members actually supported the substance of the draft bill. The criticism is focused on the procedure, rather than the political content itself.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasizes cooperation within the Culture Committee, highlighting that the decision to proceed with the processing of the draft legislation was consensual on April 1st. This indicates a readiness to find solutions and achieve a cross-party agreement once the obstruction has been removed.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is entirely at the national level, addressing amendments to education laws that affect the management of student places within the Estonian education system as a whole. There is no reference to specific regional projects or communities.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Insufficient data.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is the availability and administration of education, particularly concerning Ukrainian children who have left Estonia and the school places they occupy. The speaker strongly supports establishing a legal basis to free up these study slots for other children, emphasizing the efficiency of the education system and the priority given to Estonian children.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative priority is the successful passage of the draft act amending the Preschool Institutions Act, the Vocational Educational Institutions Act, and the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act (Bill 231 SE). The speaker is a strong supporter and proponent of the bill, emphasizing the need to advance the proceedings after a long standstill caused by obstruction.
3 Speeches Analyzed