Agenda Profile: Lauri Laats
Inquiry Regarding Teacher Salaries (No. 778)
2025-09-15
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting
Political Position
The opposition is critical of the government's education policy. It stresses the necessity of increasing funding for school meals and teachers' salaries, identifying the lack of financing as the primary issue. Furthermore, it remains skeptical about the rapid implementation of language proficiency requirements, emphasizing the need to find realistic solutions to guarantee high-quality education.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Has knowledge of school food and its quality, teacher shortages, and language proficiency requirements (B2 for teaching assistants, C1 for support specialists). They refer to practical issues such as training, funding, and substitute activities. They also mention the lack of test results as an example of quality, demonstrating knowledge of the nuances of the education system.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
A critical, foundational, and emotionally expressive tone. It uses direct addresses and questions, emphasizing child well-being and advocating for teachers and students. The use of facts and examples is prominent, but the style remains primarily and inevitably contentious.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Two interpellations were submitted during the session held on the same day, September 15, 2025, focusing on education (specifically nutrition/catering, salaries, and language instruction). A concrete parental story from the Mustamäe district was highlighted, and reference was made to the absence of test results, suggesting a continuing need for attention regarding the quality of education.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Clearly oppositional: it attacks the government and the Ministry of Education, criticizing both their plans and their execution. It emphasizes that the coalition must be held accountable and warns against political games, demanding real solutions and transparency concerning the situation of teachers and students.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Skeptical regarding the readiness for cooperation; emphasizes the need to find solutions (training, funding) but does not outline specific cooperation platforms or coalition agreements. It maintains a critical stance and encourages responsibility and discussion, rather than joining the coalition.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Focus on issues at both the local and national levels: it mentions the Tallinn level and the Mustamäe district, while simultaneously referring to the national level. It describes how municipal and national decisions affect the situation of schools.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Significant Central Funding: emphasizes that taxpayers are footing the bill, and that funding for food quality and teachers' salaries are priorities. It criticizes the gaps between promises and actual funding levels, and demands more transparent and targeted funding, as well as additional resources for the education sector.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Advocates for equal educational opportunities and emphasizes the importance of linguistic integration and quality education for both Russian- and Estonian-speaking youth. Cares about children's nutrition and health, demonstrating that school meals affect both health and learning ability.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The focus is on the language proficiency requirements (B2/C1) and issues surrounding their implementation. It asks for alternatives and the assessment of school performance; it discusses methods of application and financing, and whether substitutes for teaching assistants and support specialists are available. It notes that the requirements will take effect by September of next year and emphasizes the necessity of preparation concerning methodology, textbooks, and training.
2 Speeches Analyzed