Estonia: Schools begin transition to education in Estonian

Schools in Estonia have begun transitioning to education in Estonian under a plan approved by the country’s parliament, the Riigikogu, in December 2022, ERR reports. The transition will proceed gradually, with kindergartens and school grades one and four transitioning to fully Estonian education in 2024. Grades two and five will transition in 2025 and grade nine in 2029. Full transition is due to be completed by 2030. Estonia’s Language Inspectorate (Keeleinspektsioon) has the authority to assess the language qualifications of teachers. Estonia has had a parallel Russian education system for 30 years, ERR reports. Education Minister Kristina Kallas noted that education outcomes in Russian-language schools have lagged behind Estonian-language schools. She said that the reform, albeit a decade late, aims to close the gap.