Session Profile: Liina Kersna
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
2025-05-15
Political Position
The politician focuses heavily on education policy, especially adapting to the AI Age and increasing the attainment of higher education (goal 45%). He strongly supports strategic investments in human capital and technology (TI-Leap, doctoral studies), justifying this with long-term economic and social benefits. Concern is expressed regarding the impact on adult education if repeated learning becomes subject to fees. The stance is primarily policy-driven and future-oriented.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates significant expertise in education policy, lifelong learning, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the educational process. They utilize extensive statistics and international comparisons (e.g., 43.5% of young people holding higher education degrees, 1% with a doctorate, and a €7 return on investment). The use of specific terminology, such as self-regulated learning and language models, points to profound domain knowledge.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker’s style is formal, optimistic, and visionary, emphasizing the need to act quickly and maintain the initiative ("maintaining the initiative is paramount"). The argumentation relies heavily on logic, statistics, and international comparisons (OECD, Denmark, Switzerland). Estonia is portrayed as a flexible and smart pioneer who must invest before others grasp the necessity.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The records show participation in the plenary session on May 15, 2025. During this session, a question was directed to the minister and an extended address was delivered, requiring a request for additional time. There is no data available concerning other activity patterns, frequency, or external events.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
There is no criticism directed at political opponents or groups. Instead, the criticism focuses on structural shortcomings (e.g., the low proportion of people holding doctoral degrees and the rate of obtaining higher education compared to the OECD average).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasizes collaboration between academic circles and the government ("Power and Intellect"), mentioning a study commissioned by the Rectors' Council and Jaak Vilo's proposal. Support is also being given to the TI-Hüppe program, launched under the President's leadership, which demonstrates a readiness for broad-based cooperation.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is entirely on the national level (the Estonian education sector development plan, the Estonian economy) and international comparisons (OECD, European countries). Specific regional or local topics are absent.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker strongly advocates for strategic national investment in education and doctoral studies, viewing it as the primary engine for economic growth and higher added value (up to 3 billion euros supported by artificial intelligence). The investment is justified by its high social return (every euro invested yields at least seven euros back). Support is given to shifting the economy towards higher added value.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is education, which is viewed as the foundation for enriching society, preserving language and culture, and ensuring universal healthcare. Emphasis is placed on the need to expand access to higher education for every young person, regardless of their background. The growing trend of participation in adult education is also welcomed.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on supporting the objectives outlined in the Estonian education sector development plan, specifically the modernization of the learning process and increasing the rate of higher education attainment. A concrete political priority involves raising the number of doctoral study places to 500, with particular emphasis placed on topics related to artificial intelligence.
3 Speeches Analyzed