Session Profile: Heljo Pikhof
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session.
2024-06-12
Political Position
Strong support for the education reform, which aims to increase the flexibility of learning opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of vocational education relative to general secondary education. The primary focus is policy-driven, stressing the necessity of guaranteeing sufficient study places for youth aged 16 and over, and channeling resources freed up by adult learners' paid studies back into youth education. Emphasis is placed on the state's responsibility for these study places and the role of local government in monitoring.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
High level of expertise in the field of education, particularly regarding the curricula, financing, and legislation of vocational and general secondary education. Specific terminology is utilized, such as "valdkonnapõhine õppekava" (field-based curriculum), "tervikkvalifikatsioon" (complete qualification), "SAIS," and "OSKA." Detailed statistical data is also provided. Precise data is presented concerning dropout rates (20% annually in vocational education) and budget forecasts (e.g., 5.5 million euros in savings starting from 2026).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is highly formal, informative, and procedural, focusing on the detailed conveyance of the bill's content and the committee discussion. Logical and data-driven explanations dominate, provided primarily by the minister and ministry officials in response to specific questions from Riigikogu members. The tone is explanatory and solution-oriented, for instance, when describing the flexibility of new curricula.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of activity is related to legislative work, encompassing the discussion of the draft bill in the Culture Committee (on June 4) and its presentation to the Plenary Session (on June 12). Active communication with ministry officials and responding to detailed questions from Riigikogu members were demonstrated. The Committee proposed concluding the first reading of the draft bill.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
There was no direct confrontation, but members of the Riigikogu (Liina Kersna, Helle-Moonika Helme, Heljo Pikhof) posed critical and clarifying questions regarding the specifics of the policy. Kersna expressed concern about the demotivating effect that paid studies might have on adult learners, while Helme inquired about the responsibility of local governments (KOV) and the regulation of career changes. The criticism is policy-driven and targets potential deficiencies in the draft bill.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The cooperation is strong and consensual, as the Culture Committee adopted all decisions for the bill's progression by consensus. The Ministry of Education and Research is collaborating with vocational schools on the development of new curricula, and with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (Töötukassa), to offer exceptions to the paid education regulation for individuals with reduced work capacity or unemployed career changers.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national education policy and legislation that affects all Estonian educational institutions. Local governments are mentioned in relation to monitoring compulsory education (via SAIS), but a specific regional or local focus is not emphasized.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Fiscal discipline and the reallocation of resources in education are supported, directing the 5.5 million euros freed up through paid studies for adult learners toward creating study places for youth. Emphasis is placed on relying on OSKA when supporting priority fields, in order to meet the state's labor force needs. The budgetary impacts are significant, requiring an additional 10 million euros by 2029.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is educational inequality and the dropout rate, particularly among youth with special educational needs (SEN). Emphasis is placed on the need to create broad-based curricula and support systems that would help SEN youth succeed in the labor market in the long term. Lifelong learning is supported, but free repeated instruction for adults is restricted.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priority is Draft Bill 447 (amendments to education laws), which reforms the vocational and secondary education system, increases the flexibility of studies, and regulates fee-based education for adult learners. The goal is to establish a clear basis for the recognition of non-formal education and to link the credit points used in general secondary, vocational, and higher education.
1 Speeches Analyzed