2. Estonian education system International Student Assessment (PISA) study of the year 2015 indicates that the Estonian 15-year-old basic school students are among the best of the world in their knowledge and in natural sciences, Estonia shares the 1-2nd places with Finland in Europe.
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The Estonian education system is divided into general, vocational and hobby education. The levels of education are preschool education, basic education, secondary education, and higher education (see image). Schooling education is obligatory for all children from the age of seven until they complete basic education or turn 17. There is very little educational inequality that can be observed in Estonia, i.e. the quality of education is relatively uniform regardless of the size and location of the school. Es-
tonian education has received good feedback in international comparative studies (PISA, QS World University Rankings). The Estonian educational system allows all pupils to move from lower educational levels to higher ones, i.e. there are no dead ends in education. It is considered important to develop positive attitudes towards education as a way of life, while promoting lifelong learning.
