Session Profile: Liina Kersna
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
2024-12-04
Political Position
The political position is strongly supportive of raising the compulsory education age to 18, emphasizing the substantive educational changes that accompany this move. The stance is policy-driven, focusing on the flexibility and individuality of learning paths. A significant concern raised is the need to ensure sufficient additional funding starting from 2026 to increase teacher salaries and implement the career model.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the field of education policy, detailing the structure of curricula, the alignment of vocational and general secondary education, and the specific characteristics of funding. Specific terminology is employed, such as the "differentiation fund," the "teachers' career model," and "flexible learning pathways," which indicates a systemic knowledge of reforms within the education sector. The analysis directly connects the formal change (raising the age) with necessary systemic adjustments (e.g., basic school final examinations).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal and logical, focusing on highlighting the positive substantive changes of the reform and explaining the prerequisites for their implementation. The tone is optimistic regarding the draft bill, but concerned and pressing concerning the need to plan sufficient additional funding starting from 2026. The appeal is based on political argumentation and the enumeration of systemic financial needs.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Not enough data
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Opponents are neither directly criticized nor named; the focus is on the political and financial challenges associated with the implementation of the reform. The concern referenced by Tõnis Lukas is mentioned, which rather points to a shared framing of the issue.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The collaborative style demonstrates strong internal support within the Reform Party faction for the draft legislation on behalf of which the speech is being delivered. The reference made by the colleague (Tõnis Lukas) to a significant concern is acknowledged, signaling an openness to considering issues raised by others.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is entirely on national education policy, curricula, and funding systems. Regional or local issues are absent.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic standpoints emphasize the necessity of increasing public expenditure in the education sector starting in 2026, particularly for raising the teachers' minimum salary and implementing a career model. Targeted investment (additional funds) is supported for achieving social and educational objectives, and careful planning of these funds is required. Separate emphasis is placed on equalizing the funding for vocational education with the funding provided to general education schools.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue revolves around education, focusing on creating more flexible and individualized learning pathways for young people by raising the age of compulsory education. The objective is to ensure that all young people achieve either vocational or secondary education by the age of 18, while also providing the option of a gap year and lessening the significance of the passing thresholds for basic school final examinations.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on supporting the draft bill aimed at raising the compulsory schooling age, which is seen as the catalyst for significant substantive changes within the education sector. The speaker is a strong proponent of the bill, stressing the necessity, once it takes effect, to also modify the requirements for completing basic education and to ensure that the funding for vocational education is comparable to that of general education.
1 Speeches Analyzed