Agenda Profile: Evelin Poolamets
First Reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic for Amending the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act" (279 OE)
2024-04-03
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The speaker is questioning the speed and quality of the education reform (specifically, the transition to Estonian as the language of instruction). They emphasize the negative repercussions this will have on finding qualified specialists and on the overall quality of education, particularly for Ukrainian-speaking children. The political stance adopted is moderately critical, focusing primarily on the effectiveness of the policy's implementation and highlighting potential future issues. The utilization of the potential workforce of Ukrainian teachers is also brought up.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding the practical implementation problems of the education reform, focusing on issues of teacher recruitment and the quality of education. A specific external source is utilized as the basis for this knowledge (the opinion of a teacher who arrived from Ukraine, which was published in Russian-language Delfi).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal and interrogative, respectfully addressing the session chair and the rapporteur. The speaker employs logical arguments aimed at highlighting future negative consequences, such as the deteriorated quality of education. Anecdotal evidence (the opinion of a Ukrainian teacher) is introduced to support the argumentation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There is too little data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The resistance is aimed at the way the education reform is being carried out, criticizing its speed ("too quickly") and the potential negative effect it will have on the quality of education. The criticism is policy-based and focuses on the failure of implementation, rather than on specific individuals.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is too little data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national education policy and the international aspect concerning teachers and students who have arrived from Ukraine. There is no emphasis on specific Estonian regions.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Direct economic outlooks are not presented, but the issue of labor and specialist availability in the education sector is addressed. The necessity of finding the required number of specialists is emphasized, as is the potential to engage Ukrainian teachers.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is the education reform and its impact on the quality of education and the availability of qualified specialists. Specific attention is paid to the quality of education provided to Ukrainian-speaking children and the potential employment of Ukrainian teachers within the Estonian education system.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The speaker is actively engaged with the draft amendment to the Basic School and Upper Secondary School Act, operating as a critical scrutinizer regarding the law's implementation and its subsequent consequences. The focus is on the pace of the reform's execution and its effect on the sustainability of the education system.
2 Speeches Analyzed