Agenda Profile: Vadim Belobrovtsev
Investigation into the failure of the education agreement (no 704)
2025-02-17
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political focus is currently on the failure of the education agreement, which is being framed as a failure on the part of both the government and the minister. The speaker voices strong opposition, highlighting the government's broken promises and the resulting lack of trust from local municipalities (LGs). The criticism is primarily aimed at the government's poor performance and its inability to resolve the ongoing crises in the education sector. The speaker demands that the minister take responsibility, referencing his previous commitment to resign.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The presenter demonstrates thorough knowledge of the education sector, focusing on the teacher career model, workload, and salary problems. Specific data is used (e.g., 9/79 local government signatures, 90% of school maintainers are local governments) and references are made to legislative changes (PGS) regarding the minimum salary rate. The presenter is also familiar with the process of concluding collective agreements and the complex issues surrounding teacher recruitment and retention.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speech is critical, skeptical, and analytical, emphasizing logical arguments and numerical evidence (e.g., 70 local governments opposing). The speaker uses formal language and poses pointed questions regarding the fulfillment of the minister's promises, pointing to a lack of optimism about the future. The appeal is made both to facts (the number of signatures from local governments) and emotional aspects (promises related to the teachers' strike).
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in parliamentary inquiries aimed at assessing the government's performance. Reference is made to articles published in the media (ERR, Õpetajate Leht), letters received by Riigikogu members (over 1,000 teachers), and discussions with school leaders in Tallinn. This demonstrates active knowledge acquisition through both media sources and direct contacts.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main adversary is the Minister of Education and the government, who are being criticized for failing to deliver on promises and for the unsuccessful education agreement. The criticism is rooted in policy and trust issues, stressing that the government has lost the confidence of local municipalities (KOV-s) due to the lack of financial guarantees. The speaker rejects the minister's assertion that the opposition from the local municipalities was purely political sabotage orchestrated by Isamaa.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker brings up their faction's questions and references the criticism of the education pact by the Social Democrat mayor of Tallinn, demonstrating that the criticism extends beyond the coalition. There is no information available regarding active cooperation or a willingness to compromise with the government.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is heavily centered on the relationship between the state and local governments (KOV) regarding educational administration, as KOVs are the operators of 90% of the schools. It is emphasized that 70 local authorities, including major cities such as Tallinn, Tartu, Narva, and Pärnu, refused to sign the agreement, highlighting the broad regional extent of the problem.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views center on teachers' incomes and the responsibility of the state budget. The speaker criticizes the education agreement for its insufficient financial coverage for local governments (LOAs) and is concerned about the potential drop of the teachers' minimum salary floor to the general minimum wage (890 euros). Support is expressed for a higher and guaranteed income for teachers, and the government is criticized for the loss of trust concerning its financial commitments.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social focus is on the sustainability of education, particularly the recruitment of new teachers and the improvement of working conditions. The speaker stresses that the education pact will not resolve the issues of teacher workload or salary, which remain critical social concerns. Furthermore, there is worry that reducing the workload in Tallinn may prove unrealistic due to the existing teacher shortage.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is centered on criticizing the education agreement and the related amendments to the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act (PGS) concerning the teachers' minimum salary. The speaker is against the changes, which they argue grant school principals excessive room for manipulation in wage matters. They are demanding the signing of the collective agreement, which was the promise given to terminate the teachers' strike.
4 Speeches Analyzed