Agenda Profile: Helmen Kütt
Inquiry regarding the merging of schools for children with special educational needs (no 684)
2025-02-17
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position strongly defends the current operational structure of schools catering to children with special educational needs (SEN). The speaker questions the minister's stated objective for merging the schools (better management), emphasizing that the schools are delivering excellent substantive work. This stance is heavily policy- and results-driven, demanding evidence-based analysis before implementing any structural changes.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise on the topic of children with special educational needs, stressing the necessity of small, specialized settings and differentiating this approach from inclusive education. This expertise stems from personal experience and knowledge regarding the operations of Ämmuste School in Viljandi County, coupled with a demand for a substantive analysis of school activities.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal, interrogative, and critical, yet respectful (when addressing the presiding officer and the minister). The speaker focuses on logical arguments, demanding a substantive analysis and using a specific local example (Ämmuste School) to support their claim.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker demonstrates consistent action, having previously arranged a meeting with the minister within the Social Democratic Party faction to address this same concern. This points to systematic and long-term monitoring of the issue, which has been ongoing for over a month.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is directed at the claims made by the minister and his government regarding the objectives of merging schools. The opposition is both procedural and policy-based, calling into question whether sufficient substantive analysis has been conducted to justify the structural changes.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Cooperation was demonstrated within their own faction (the Social Democratic Party faction), where answers to questions were demanded from the minister. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on sharing concerns and cooperating with the parents whose appeals formed the basis of these questions.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker focuses regionally on Viljandi County, highlighting Ämmuste School as an example of the excellent work specialized schools perform. This regional focus serves to affirm a broader political stance.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
There is not enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Among social issues, the focus is on the rights of children with special educational needs and the necessity of specialized environments. The speaker strongly advocates for a model that offers an alternative to inclusive education, emphasizing that it is not suitable for all children.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on controlling the executive power through an interpellation concerning the structural changes within educational institutions. The speaker's objective is to prevent the merging or closure of schools, demanding a substantive analysis before any decisions are made.
1 Speeches Analyzed