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.

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. Estonian 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.

2.1 Preschool, basic, and upper secondary education

Most children between 1.5 and 7 years of age go to kindergarten. It is the responsibility of the local govern- ments to guarantee children between 1.5 and 7 years of age the opportuni- ty to attend a local kindergarten upon the request of their parents. Estonian kindergartens form part of the ed- ucational system, and kindergarten teachers have pedagogical training. The preschool education offered in kindergartens aims to foster children’s versatile development and learning through play. In addition to kindergar- tens, there are childcare centres and voluntary preschools, both usually in- volving fee-paying.

Children start school at the age of seven. Each child has the opportuni- ty to attend a school near their home. Schools have their own service areas, and local governments must guaran- tee a place in the school for each child living in its service area.

Basic education lasts from the 1st to the 9th grade. To complete basic edu- cation, examinations must be taken in three subjects: Estonian, Mathematics, and one subject of the pupil’s own choice. The level of Estonian basic school pupils is among the best in the world. In Natural Science, for instance, Estonian 15 year old pupils share the 1st and the 2nd place in Europe with Finland (according to the PISA study). Basic education is mandatory for all children. There are mainly three op- tions to pursue education after the completion of basic education: aca- demic general secondary education, more practical vocational secondary education, or simply vocational ed- ucation. Approximately 70–75% of pupils continue their studies with up- per secondary schools after the com- pletion of basic education. General secondary education and vocation- al secondary education enable the continuation of studies in higher education.

General secondary education is offered in upper secondary schools, and the duration of study is three years (grades 10–12). To complete secondary education, pupils must take state examinations in Estonian, Mathematics and a foreign language, one school examination, and com- plete either a research project or a practical project. Pupils whose native language is not Estonian can take the exam of Estonian as a second lan- guage. An adult of any age can also obtain secondary and vocational edu- cation, vocational schools do not have an age restriction and several adult secondary schools operate (which also teach basic school pupils if nec- essary) in Estonia.

The school year traditionally starts on 1 September in Estonia. The academ- ic year lasts for at least 35 weeks and there are usually four school holidays, in addition to long summer holidays. Summer holidays are quite long com- pared to many other countries: at least 2.5 months.

Education is free in schools funded by the state and local governments (only workbooks are charged for). However, private schools charge a fee (300–4500 EUR per year). Approximately 5% of children go to private schools. Kindergartens charge a fee and food money (catering occurs three times a day for children), and both amounts differ depending on the location and the type of kindergarten (private kindergartens are more expensive. Schoolchildren are catered to once per day, mainly with state support).

All kindergartens and schools, includ- ing private schools, operate on the ba- sis of the uniform national curriculum. Estonian schools were traditionally teacher and subject-centred and in- volved a strong discipline. However, in order to better prepare pupils for life in a changing world, schools have start- ed to pay increasingly more attention to students’ creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills, and the link- ing of different subjects and topics. Teachers give pupils more substantive feedback and adapt to the teaching to the needs of different pupils (both in the case of talented pupils and those with learning difficulties).

2.2 Learning a foreign language and foreign language tuition

Pupils must study at least two for- eign languages in Estonian schools. Most children begin with English, al- though some schools teach German or French as the first foreign language. Studies of a second foreign language

Vocational schools and universities offer flexible study options for adults: (usually English, Russian or German) also start during basic school, in many schools a third language is also taught in secondary school. Upon the completion of the upper secondary education, pupils must have the level of an independent user (i.e. level B) in at least two foreign languages.

Most Estonian schools teach in Estonian. It is possible to follow the international IB program (International Baccalaureate) in five schools in Tallinn and Tartu. Various schools offer intensive foreign language study and the opportunity to take internationally recognised language exams instead of state examinations in foreign languages. The schools offering the IB program are the International School of Estonia, Tallinn English College, International School of Tallinn, Audentes Private School and Tartu Miina Härma Gymnasium. The language of instruction in international schools and the Tallinn European School is English. These schools have higher tuition fees, and most of the pupils are the children of foreign nationals working in Estonia for a shorter period of time (e.g. representatives of foreign companies, scientists, diplomats, European Union officials). Each of those schools also has an Englishlanguage kindergarten.

One fifth of the pupils in Estonia do not speak Estonian as their first language, and go to Russian-language kindergartens and schools or language immersion schools and classes. Most of the Russian-language schools and kindergartens are in Tallinn and in IdaViru county. There are also several vocational and higher education curricula available in Russian. There are also several Russian-language private schools.

Tallinn European School – language of instruction is English and French, following the curriculum of European Schools, www.est.edu.ee

The International School of Estonia – situated in Tallinn, language of instruction is English, following the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, www.ise.edu.ee

Tartu International School – language of instruction is English, following the Estonian national curriculum, www.istartu.ee

2.3 Vocational education

Vocational education may follow basic education and secondary education. An average vocational school is larger than a general education school, has an up-to-date working environment and technical equipment. Vocational training is becoming increasingly popular with adults who decide to acquire a vocation at a later age or opt for a more practical education in a vocational school or an institution of professional higher education after having acquired academic higher education.

Vocational education is offered by vocational schools and institutions of professional higher education. Bodies providing vocational education are generally larger than regular schools, equipped with modern equipment and provide valuable practical knowledge.

Hobby education and youth work

Estonia has a strong network of hobby schools. Almost a quarter of all pupils use their after school time for sports, go to groups for technology or nature enthusiasts, and attend separate music schools or art schools. Hobby schools and centres are funded by local governments. More information about hobby schools and centres can be found on the website of the Estonian Youth Work Centre, www.entk.ee/noorsootoo/ olulised-organisatsioonid/

Further information:

General information about the education system: Eurydice – the European educational cooperation network database contains detailed information about the education system in each of the countries participating in the Erasmus+ program, including Estonia • Haridussilm – education data and statistics environment where you can get visually clear and easily understandable information, e.g. compare schools or different areas, see where young people prefer to study, etc, www.haridussilm.ee

Estonian Education Information System – national online register which provides information about educational institutions, students, teachers, curricula, instruction rights and education certificates, www.ehis.ee (in Estonian)

Estonian Ministry of Education and Research – is in charge of policy making in the fields of education, research, youth, and languages in Estonia. The Ministry’s website gives a brief overview of all levels of education, the most important legislation in the field of education, and references to other practical databases and websites, www.hm.ee

National level tests, examinations, support services Innove – this state foundation is responsible for the development and implementation of general and vocational education curricula, national examinations, and educational support services, and manages the national and European Union-wide lifelong learning and language programs. The Innove website and specialists provide information about the following topics which might be useful for parents or pupils in general and vocational education:

• national level tests, basic school final examinations and state examinations; • Estonian language examinations and citizenship examinations, • and •• Rajaleidja (PathFinder) – portal that provides information about study opportunities and career planning, which is geared towards three target groups (young people, adults, career advisers): www.rajaleidja.ee. It also includes a database of professions: www.ametid.rajaleidja.ee and contact details of study and career advice centres (Rajaleidja centres) in different counties.

Choice of school and kindergarten: State Portal Eesti.ee – contact details of local (city and municipality) governments responsible for managing kindergartens and general education schools (see the Department of Education, education adviser or education specialist): ••• . In Tallinn, you can find out more about kindergartens and schools from the Tallinn Education Department: www.tallinn.ee/eng/haridus.