By Plenary Sessions: Tõnis Lukas

Culture is viewed as a crucial economic engine that drives the tourism sector and brings money into Estonia, supporting hotels, restaurants, and transport companies. There is strong support for funding culture, with the justification being economic necessity rather than mere leisure activity. Criticism is directed at the budget classification system, which places culture in the leisure category—a designation deemed economically unfair.

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The speaker stresses the necessity for supplementary funding, given that vocational education is currently underfunded. He sharply criticizes efforts to implement reforms by utilizing internal reserves, such as shrinking the school network or introducing tuition fees for adult learners. He inquires about options for covering fixed costs (teachers' salaries), advocating for stable budgetary planning.