Session Profile: Heljo Pikhof
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
2024-11-20
Political Position
The political focus is divided between two draft bills: strong opposition to amending the constitution to define Estonia's value space using a list of countries, due to fears of damaging Estonia's global credibility. The need to demand thorough impact and comparative analysis for constitutional amendment bills is also stressed. Support is given to extending compulsory education until the age of 18, emphasizing its systemic support and dropout prevention. Nevertheless, criticism is directed at procedural shortcomings and the weakness of the analysis provided.
17 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
High expertise is demonstrated in the field of education and legislation, particularly in the presentation of the procedure for Draft Law 447 (compulsory education), stakeholder opinions, and technical details (e.g., restrictions on the reuse of free tuition). Knowledge is shown regarding the requirements for processing constitutional amendments, necessitating comparative analysis and security risk assessment. Detailed data is provided concerning the positions of interest groups and the dates of committee sessions.
17 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is predominantly formal and procedural, particularly during the presentation of the draft bill, where detailed lists and dates are employed. On critical issues, the tone is concerned and occasionally sharp, utilizing rhetorical questions and strong judgments (e.g., "unheard of," "in a strange way") to criticize the value-based framework of the constitutional amendment draft. Responses to questions are sometimes uncertain, acknowledging the absence of specific figures.
17 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Politicians are active during the plenary session, presenting both a comprehensive report (Draft Bill 447) and posing critical questions regarding other legislative drafts. The patterns of activity indicate intensive work within the committee, where multiple sessions took place (e.g., October 14, November 12, and November 18) alongside extensive consultations with stakeholders.
17 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Strong opposition is directed towards the initiators of the constitutional amendment bill, criticizing both their creation of a value-based dividing line and procedural deficiencies (the absence of an impact analysis). In the education sector, the Ministry of Education and Research (HTM) and the government face criticism for their inadequate analysis of the burden placed on, and the financing provided to, local municipalities. Furthermore, concerns were raised regarding the Chancellor of Justice’s appeal concerning the conditions for expulsion from upper secondary school (gymnasium).
17 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is open and inclusive, especially in the preparation of legislation, where the views of many interest groups (including unions of teachers, parents, and local governments) have been heard and referenced. Agreement is also noted with the position of another politician (Varro Vooglaid) regarding the necessity of analyzing security risks. Five amendments have been submitted during the commission's work.
17 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is placed on the role and burden of local municipalities in fulfilling the compulsory education requirement, emphasizing the need to ensure they have a support system. Tallinn is highlighted as the most critical region, where approximately 250 individuals who have not continued their studies need to be located, compared to other counties.
17 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives focus on financing the education reform and the necessity of easing the financial burden on local municipalities. Support is given to clarifying the regulations regarding state-funded studies, specifically by restricting the simultaneous use of free study places in both vocational and higher education. It is confirmed that additional financial resources have been allocated for the extension of the study obligation, although specific figures are not provided.
17 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
In the social sector, the central topic is education reform and the extension of compulsory education, which aims to reduce school dropout rates (affecting 1,200–1,500 young people) and support NEET youth. Concerns are being raised regarding the shortage of support specialists, their resulting heavy workload, and issues surrounding children's school readiness. The issue of critically restricting the voting rights of third-country nationals in local elections is also being addressed.
17 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is on amendments to the Education Act (Bill 447), which addresses the extension of compulsory education until the age of 18 and the regulations governing tuition-free studies. In this matter, we are acting in the role of both a supporter and the manager of the legislative process. The second focus is the opposition to the draft amendments to the Constitution, emphasizing procedural requirements (impact assessment) and the necessity of analyzing security risks.
17 Speeches Analyzed