A petition urging the government to raise the level of funding allocated to higher education to 1.5 percent of GDP with over 1,000 signatures will be handed to the speaker of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas (EKRE).

Last year, the government withdrew from a promise it had made to increase the level of funding of higher education and research to 1 percent.

"We want to maintain a strong national higher education and research system in Estonia and catch up with the Nordic countries with an innovative economy in terms of economic development," the petition says (link in Estonian).

Heiki Lill, chairman of the Estonian University of Life Sciences Trade Union: "Unfortunately, members of the government must be reminded of their own promises. Otherwise, Estonian higher education and science have no future."

Lill added Estonian researchers are already faced with the choice of continuing their activities in Estonia based on patriotism alone or moving abroad.

Last June, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas said research funding not to reach 1 percent of GDP in the next three years, despite agreeing to the raise in March.

Rectors of Estonian universities have said the government's decision could lead to the reinstatement of paid higher education in Estonia.

--

Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!