Narva Diplomas Hung Up on Language Requirements
Around 20 kindergarten workers currently employed in Narva, who are otherwise qualified, lack the diplomas required for their jobs due to language proficiency shortfalls, local media have reported.
The situation arose because the University of Tartu's Narva College, where they studied, does not let students defend their dissertation work without first passing a minimum level state language exam.
In an interview with Inforing, the college's director Katri Raik said that her institution had tried to help those stuck in this educational limbo by organizing free language courses for them. However, none of the students took up the offer, she said.
Raik pointed out that, in addition to the college's own requirements, the state also requires that those working in the teaching field have at least a B2 (lower intermediate) certificate of Estonian language proficiency.
Steve Roman