Government Grants 3 Schools Extension for Switch to Estonian
The Cabinet has decided to satisfy the request of three upper secondary schools that have asked for an extension of the deadline for switching to at least 60 percent Estonian instruction.
Minister of Education and Research Jaak Aaviksoo told ETV that a decision will be held off until autumn for other schools, as official visits to the schools showed that while individual problems existed, the schools did not say it would be impossible to switch over to Estonian instruction.
In the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act, 60 percent is the minimum level at which a curriculum is considered to be in a specific language. The act states that Estonian is the language of instruction at the upper secondary school level.
Aaviksoo said he hoped the problems would be resolved and the Basic and Upper Secondary Schools Act would be implemented fully as regards language issues.
The Cabinet decided on July 4 that two upper secondary schools for adults - one in Tallinn and one in Narva - will be given a five-year extension.
A decision was also made with regard to studies governed by international agreements, which pertains to the Tallinn German High School.
"I envision such an option for other schools and languages as well. Learning some other language in intensified manner under international agreements is utterly in the interests of the Estonian state and people," said Aaviksoo.
Kristopher Rikken