Education in Estland

The responsibility for the **education system in Estland** is delegated to the federal government. The system is divided into four major groupings: preschool, primary, secondary, and post-secondary.

Schooling is compulsory in Estland between the ages of six and 16, which accounts for the entirety of primary school and the lower half of secondary school. Preschool, upper secondary, and post-secondary education are all optional. Primary education begins at age six and concludes at age 12; lower secondary education begins at age 12 and concludes at age 16; and upper secondary education begins at age 16 and concludes at age 19. Typically, primary education and lower secondary education are housed in a sole educational facility, referred to as a "primary school," while upper secondary education is housed separately. All public education is conducted in Estian, except for in Saarapuu.

Most education facilities in Estland are publicly-funded, while private education is legal but rare. According to a 2014 survey, 95.6% of Estian primary and secondary school students attended a public school, while 4.3% attended a private school, and 0.1% were homeschooled. Due to the separation of church and state, public schooling cannot have any religious affiliation.

## Levels

The Estian education system is divided into four levels: preschool, primary, secondary, and post-secondary, while secondary is further subdivided into lower secondary and upper secondary.

### Preschool

Preschool (Estian: *Eelkool*) is the first level of education in Estland. Preschool is non-compulsory, but is often a child's first experience inside of a classroom and away from their family, so experts view it as a vital stage for healthy development. Preschool serves several purposes in Estian society: preparing children for primary school, allowing parents to return to their careers from parental leave, and instructing children in reading and writing the Estian language. Preschool is free for all tax-paying residents of Estland, as tuition is covered through taxation. Most neighborhoods have at least one local preschool, while more highly populated neighborhoods often have several. Some rural areas may lack facilities for a preschool, but children are able to attend in a nearby area. Children typically attend the preschool that is located closest to their home; if a preschool reaches their maximum capacity, priority goes to the children of students and single parents, children with disabilities, and returning students; after this, children are enrolled via a lottery. Children who cannot attend the preschool closest to them due to overcrowding are given priority in enrolling at the next closest preschool. Private preschools also exist, which charge tuition fees and can determine enrollment at their own discretion.

Children are first eligible to enroll in preschool at age four. Estian parental leave gives four years of paid parental leave after the birth of a child, and so children are able to be enrolled as soon as paid parental leave runs up. Some parents opt to take one year of unpaid parental leave, and do not enroll their children upon first becoming eligible. Other parents take less than four years of parental leave, and thus enroll their children in private preschools, hire private childcare providers, or rely on help from family members. In most preschools, students are grouped together by age, with classes consisting of children aged 4–5 and children aged 5–6. In some rural preschools in less-populated areas, all children are placed in one class together, regardless of age. All preschools are coeducational. In preschool, emphasis is placed on learning through playing, and preschools are staffed with early childhood education teachers and early childhood education assistant teachers. Subjects taught at preschools are typically solely related to learning how to read and write, with some basic mathematics as well; other activities at preschools are most often related to art and music, with additional time for recreational activities. Children will typically graduate from preschool in the spring of the year they turn six, regardless of how many years they have attended preschool. There are no graduation requirements when it comes to preschool, as long as children are of the right age.

### Primary education

Primary education (Estian: *Põhidus*) is the second level of education in Estland, and the first that is compulsory. Primary education is typically combined with lower secondary education, housed in what are known as primary schools (Estian: *Põhakool*). Thus, many Estians view primary education and lower secondary as a similar or outright identical level of education, despite several differences. Primary school is entirely free for tax-payers, with tuition being covered in taxation. Students automatically receive the right to attend primary school in the area that they live, so the burden is placed on schools for accommodating all students in the area, instead of being placed on the families like in preschool. Private primary schools exist but are rare, and the overwhelming majority of Estian primary school students attend public school.

Primary education begins with first grade at age six, where basic subjects such as Estian reading and writing, mathematics, natural sciences, and Estian and world history are introduced to students. Students also have separate teachers for specialty subjects such as art, music, physical education, Ditrovian language, and home economics. From the start of primary education until its conclusion at age 13, students remain with the same classmates for the entire day and the same core teacher, who instructs them in all classes except specialty subjects. Students also do not leave their classrooms except for specialty subjects. Primary education teachers remain with the same students each year until they graduate at age 13, in an effort to foster community and turn teachers into parental figures for students. Following the first year of primary education, other subjects are introduced to students in subsequent years: technology is introduced in second grade, social sciences are introduced in third grade, Medish language is introduced in fourth grade, health is introduced in fifth grade, and woodworking is introduced in sixth grade. Students complete primary education and advance to lower secondary education in the year they turn 13, at the end of seventh grade.

Primary education is the first time that students receive formal assessments at school. While there is no standardized testing in primary education, teachers often opt to give students written or oral examinations on subjects according to their own discretion. Students also begin to receive grades for the first time on their work. For each subject, students are awarded a grade from 0–4; 0 denotes incomplete work, 1 denotes failing to meet expectations, 2 denotes meeting expectations, 3 denotes exceeding expectations, and 4 denotes significantly exceeding expectations. Grades in primary education do not have much of a bearing on a student's academic future, and merely serve as a means of denoting progress to a student's parental figures. If a student receives a 0 or 1 in a subject, a meeting between themselves, their teacher, and their parental figures must be organized. It is incredibly rare for students to fail to advance to the subsequent grade level at the end of the school year, but may be done at the discretion of teachers, parental figures, and school administrators if the student is showing significant difficulty in meeting expectations.

### Secondary education

Secondary education (Estian: *Keskidus*) is the third level of education in Estland, while only its early half is compulsory. While secondary education is a uniquely defined level of education, it is typically split between lower secondary education and upper secondary education, which are often viewed as separate levels themselves.

#### Lower secondary

Lower secondary education (Estian: *Keskilidus*) is the first level of secondary education, and the final level of compulsory education in Estland. While it is technically the lower level of secondary education, lower secondary education is commonly viewed as a continuation of primary education, as both levels are housed in the same school buildings, known as primary school (Estian: *Põhakool*). While lower secondary students do attend primary schools, they do not study primary education. Typically, primary schools are organized whereas lower secondary students are housed in a separate wing of the building from primary students.

Lower secondary education begins with grade eight at age 13, with both similarities and differences to primary education. Students no longer have one set of classmates or one core teacher, instead having a different teacher for each subject in addition to different classmates and a different classroom. Each lower secondary student must enroll in Estian literature, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, history, Ditrovian language, Medish language, and physical education each year, while their other classes can be chosen from a list of electives, including creative subjects, an extra foreign language, or more specialized classes. Students typically take six classes a day, each lasting one hour, with each class occurring every other day. This leads to a total of twelve classes per year: eight mandatory classes and four elective classes. Below is an example of a sample schedule for a lower secondary student in each grade level:

     – mandatory

     – elective

     – lunch

Grades and assessments in lower secondary education are much more serious than they are in primary school. While students still partake in no standardized testing, all students are expected to be tested regularly in each of their classes, both through written and oral examinations. Sometimes assessments are standardized on a school-wide basis, where all students in a given subject take the same assessments regardless of their teacher, but this is not done at every school and never on a nationwide basis. In lower secondary education, students receive a grade of 0–9 for each of their classes: 0 denotes incomplete work, 1–2 denotes failing to meet expectations, 3–4 denotes meeting expectations, 5–6 denotes exceeding expectations, 7–8 denotes significantly exceeding expectations, and 9 denotes a perfect score. All grades except for a 0 or a 9 may be altered with a minus (–) or plus (+) to further specify where a student falls. If a student receives a grade of 0–2 in a class, they do not receive credit for it. If it is an elective they can retake the class the next year or choose to not receive the credit, but if it is a required class they must retake it during the summer or the following year and receive a grade of 3–9; if they continuously fail the class, they will fail to complete lower secondary education and cannot move on to upper secondary education.

Lower secondary education also has a wide array of extracurricular activities for students to take part in. While this differs depending on the school, most schools offer intramural athletic teams, academic clubs, social clubs, and creative clubs. All extracurricular activities must be overseen by a faculty advisor, although admission is open for all students.

#### Upper secondary

Upper secondary education (Estian: *Keskamidus*) is the second level of secondary education. Upper secondary education, often referred to as simply secondary school (Estian: *Keskool*), is non-compulsory, although an overwhelming majority of students attend due to the minimal job prospects there are for those without a diploma. Upper secondary education is widely different from lower secondary education and primary school as a whole, for a variety of reasons. A student in their first year of secondary school is referred to as a *K1*, while in their second year they become a *K2*, and a *K3* in their third and final year. As it is non-compulsory, upper secondary education is not entirely free for students, with students having to pay an enrollment fee of approximately $100 at the beginning of each school year.

Unlike in primary school, upper secondary students are not guaranteed enrollment at their local school, nor are they guaranteed enrollment at any secondary school. For admissions, there is an application process that begins in the second half of a student's final year in lower secondary education. Students compile the grades they have received in lower secondary education, a personal essay, and recommendations from their teachers while applying to secondary schools. Students typically hear back from schools about their acceptances during the summer before they start their first year of secondary school, and they must confirm their enrollment by that August. There are three types of secondary schools that students may apply to: gymnasium (Estian: *Gümnaasium*), technical school (Estian: *Teknilinekool*), or general secondary school (Estian: *Keskaskakool*). Within each type of secondary school are various programs that students apply to directly. Due to this, students can apply to several programs within one school, being rejected from some and accepted to others. Switching between programs within the same school require solely the permission of school administrators, while switching between schools require a new application process for the applicant.

##### Gymnasium

Gymnasium is the most elite and competitive of secondary schools in Estland. They focus on academic subjects that provide a direct path to university studies. Initially, the only program offered through gymnasiums was in classical studies, however, there are now seven programs that one may choose from: classical studies, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, history and literature, foreign languages, and general academics. Some gymnasiums only offer one program, while others offer multiple. In gymnasium, students focus their studies within their academic program, taking a majority of their courses within their department. In addition to these core classes, students may also enroll in elective classes that focus on subjects outside of their department, or which no gymnasium program focuses on entirely.

In a student's *K3* year, they sit for the *Eestogümnaasiumitasemeeksam* (EGT), a standardized exam for all gymnasium students for entrance into universities. The exam only tests students on subjects that fall within their academic program, while those in a general academic program must take short sections of every other program's exam, making it one of the less popular programs to study. Following completion of the EGT exam and the successful completion of a student's course schedule at the end of their *K3* year, the student receives their diploma and may enroll in post-graduate education for the following school year. Upon passing the exam, students become known as a *gümnaasiumijuht* ("gymnasium leader"), and are granted access to various elite social and academic clubs in Estian society. The importance of becoming a *gümnaasiumijuht* is primarily a relic of 18th and 19th century Estian society, and is now mainly honorary. Students who fail the EGT exam may still graduate, but cannot enroll in post-graduate education until passing the exam. The exam is offered only once a year, and most of these students opt for a "gap year" while studying for the retest.

###### Programs

The seven programs offered through Estian gymnasiums are classical studies, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, history and literature, foreign languages, and general academics. Each program contains its own plan of study and core requirements that students must complete in order to graduate.

* Classical studies is the oldest gymnasium program, and has been offered at Estian gymnasiums since the establishment of gymnasiums. The program is considered to be one of the most academically rigorous, and due to that one of the less popular programs. Despite being one of the least popular programs, it has the lowest acceptance rate nationwide, primarily due to it being offered by relatively few schools. Students who study the classical studies program must take classes in ancient literature, philosophy, and history, religious studies, ethics, archaeology, and either Pescan or Ancient Limian languages.
* Mathematics was first offered as an individualized gymnasium program in 1899. The program is considered to be one of the most academically rigorous, and due to that one of the less popular programs. As it is one of the less popular programs, it is one of the programs with the highest acceptance rates. Students who study the mathematics program must take classes in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, calculus, physics, and applied mathematics. Previously, mathematics was included in the natural sciences and mathematics program, which was created in 1886, and split into separate programs in 1899.
* Natural sciences was first offered as an individualized gymnasium program in 1899. The program is one of the most popular programs of study for gymnasium students. As it is one of the most popular programs, it is one of the programs with the lowest acceptance rates. Students who study the natural sciences program must take classes in geoscience, biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, and medicine. Previously, natural sciences was included in the natural sciences and mathematics program, which was created in 1886, and split into separate programs in 1899.
* Social sciences was first offered as an individualized gymnasium program in 1956. The program is one of the most popular programs of study for gymnasium students. As it is one of the most popular programs, it is one of the programs with the lowest acceptance rates. Students who study the social sciences program must take classes in psychology, political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, and geography. Previously, social sciences was included in the social sciences and literature program, which was created in 1886, and split into separate programs in 1956.
* History and literature was first offered as an individualized gymnasium program in 1970. Students who study the history and literature program must take classes in Estian literature, Estian history, world history, ancient history, philosophy, and various other disciplines of literature. Previously, history and literature was included in the social sciences and literature program, which was created in 1886, and split into separate history and literature programs in 1956. The separate history and literature programs were later merged in 1970.
* Foreign languages was first offered as an individualized gymnasium program in 1984. The program is one of the most popular programs of study for gymnasium students. As it is one of the most popular programs, it is one of the programs with the lowest acceptance rates. Students who study the foreign languages program must take classes in Ditrovian language, Medish language, linguistics, cultural studies, and two other foreign languages of their choosing, chosen from a wide array of options that varies per school.
* General academics was first offered as an individualized gymnasium program in 1994. The program is highly individualized, allowing for students to select classes from other departments in order to create their own program. However, requirements include that students must take at least three classes from all six of the other programs, and are given short sections of each of the other programs' EGT exams, making the program quite unpopular. As it is one of the less popular programs, it has the highest acceptance rate nationwide. Since the 2010s, discussions have been held as to whether to discontinue the program.

##### Technical school

Technical school exists to train students in technical and vocational skills, with the goal being for them to enter the workforce after graduating, rather than pursuing post-graduate studies. There is a multitude of programs offered at technical schools, focusing predominately on industries that require hands-on experience and learning instead of academic studies. Programs can range from cosmetology to auto repair to real estate to aviation, and most technical schools do not offer all programs that are offered throughout the country. This means that some technical school students end up moving to a different town or city in order to study the program they are most interested in. Unlike gymnasiums, applications to technical schools are not typically competitive, and students are almost always admitted to their top choice program except for issues of overcrowding, or whether a student has a medical issue that would prevent them from successfully completing their program of interest. Much like in gymnasiums, students must demonstrate proficiency in some academic courses in order to graduate, with students being required to pass one course in mathematics or natural sciences, one in classical studies, literature and history, or social sciences, and one in foreign language.

During students' *K3* year, they spend half of their time learning with instructors and half of their time as paid apprentices at a local establishment within their industry. Businesses are given tax breaks by the Estian government for participating in the apprenticeship system. At the end of the *K3* year, students may sit for licensing exams within their industry, if their industry requires it, and become licensed to work in their field upon graduation.

##### General secondary school

General secondary school exists to provide academic instruction and a path to university for students who either do not want to attend a gymnasium or were not accepted to one. General secondary school is fairly new, having only been created in 1970; prior to this, gymnasium was the only path towards university and academic studies for students, and their only other option was technical school. While general secondary school does provide a path to university, some students are uninterested in pursuing university studies, but also do not wish to pursue a technical or vocational path. Like technical schools, there are a multitude of programs offered at general secondary schools, some overlapping with gymnasiums and others not at all. Special programs only offered at general secondary schools include things such as media studies, commerce, and creative fields such as fashion design and studio art. Students must exhibit diversity in their academic studies, and are still required to study at least one course from three of the six typical gymnasium programs in order to graduate.

In a student's *K3* year, they sit for the *Eestokeskaskakoolitasemeeksam* (EKKT), a standardized exam for all general secondary school students for entrance into universities. The exam tests students on both their academic program in addition to small, simplified sections on three of the main gymnasium programs of their choosing. Following completion of the EKKT exam and the successful completion of a student's course schedule at the end of their *K3* year, the student receives their diploma and may enroll in post-graduate education for the following school year. However, the EKKT exam does not provide entrance to all university programs, such as law and medicine, and these may only be accessed with the EGT exam. Students who fail the EKKT exam may still graduate, but cannot enroll in post-graduate education until passing the exam. The exam is offered only once a year, and most of these students opt for a "gap year" while studying for the retest, or instead opt to enter the workforce. Additionally, students who are uninterested in pursuing post-graduate education may opt to not sit for the EKKT exam entirely, although this is discouraged as if they change their minds later they must wait to retake it and study their old coursework.

##### Grades and student life

Grades and assessments are identical in upper secondary education to how they are in lower secondary education. Apart from the EGT, EKKT, and licensing exams, there is no other standardized testing, and students are tested according to the discretion of their teachers or school administration. Students receive a grade of 0–9 for each of their classes: 0 denotes incomplete work, 1–2 denotes failing to meet expectations, 3–4 denotes meeting expectations, 5–6 denotes exceeding expectations, 7–8 denotes significantly exceeding expectations, and 9 denotes a perfect score. All grades except for a 0 or a 9 may be altered with a minus (–) or plus (+) to further specify where a student falls. If a student receives a grade of 0–2 in a class, they do not receive credit for it. If it is an elective they can retake the class the next year or choose to not receive the credit, but if it is a required class they must retake it during the summer or the following year and receive a grade of 3–9; if they continuously fail the class, they will fail to complete upper secondary education and cannot receive their diploma, nor sit for the EGT, EKKT, or licensing exams.

Upper secondary education also has a wide array of extracurricular activities for students to take part in, much like lower secondary education. While this differs depending on the school, most schools offer intramural athletic teams, academic clubs, social clubs, and creative clubs. All extracurricular activities must be overseen by a faculty advisor, although admission is open for all students.

### Post-secondary education

Post-secondary education (Estian: *Magidus*) is the fourth and final level of education in Estland. It is non-compulsory, and additionally the most rarely-attended of the four levels. Post-secondary education is only attended by secondary school graduates who have passed the *Eestogümnaasiumitasemeeksam* (EGT) or *Eestokeskaskakoolitasemeeksam* (EKKT), both university entrance exams. Graduates of technical schools may also attend university, although they must study for and pass the EKKT on their own or through an adult education center. Post-secondary education is often public, but is additionally the most common level for private education in Estland.

Post-secondary education consists of both undergraduate and graduate studies. Public post-secondary education is free apart from a yearly enrollment fee of about $250, while private post-secondary education often charges tuition rates, sometimes up to $5,000 per term.

Undergraduate is the first level of post-secondary education, and is attended by students who have a secondary school diploma but no post-secondary qualifications. For students coming straight from secondary school, the application process begins in June of the year they are graduating, soon after they receive their results from the EGT or EKKT exams. Unlike upper secondary education, most universities have fairly open admissions policies, accepting almost all students who apply. Students apply directly to faculties within a specific university, with faculties corresponding to various broad areas of study. Faculties with high drop-out rates, such as physics and engineering, often have open admissions, while more popular faculties, such as law and medicine, are more challenging to be accepted to, often requiring a higher score on the EGT or EKKT exam, and strong grades throughout upper secondary school. Students receive their acceptances in August, and must confirm their enrollment by the end of that month.

Each faculty of a university functions as its own quasi-independent school, and transferring between faculties is as difficult as transferring between universities. Within each faculty is a number of degree programs that students may opt to pursue. Most bachelor's degrees take only three years to complete, and consist of solely courses that count towards completing the degree, with no overall general requirements. Some degree programs take longer than three years, primarily those in specialized fields such as law and pharmacy (both five years), and medicine and dentistry (both eight years).

After receiving their bachelor's degree, a student may return to post-secondary education for various graduate degree programs. These include master's degrees (two years) and doctoral degrees, which vary in length.

## Educators

In Estland, there are six categories of educators: assistant educators, early childhood teachers, primary education teachers, lecturers, specialty educators, and professors.

### Assistant educators

Assistant educators (Estian: *Abiedukaatsijad*) are educators who are certified to assist in teaching and classroom management, but cannot run a classroom on their own. Assistant educators are not teachers, and are considered to be a distinctly different occupation than teachers in Estian society. Assistant educators instead serve as assistants to certified teachers, working within their classrooms and helping out with lesson planning, individualized instruction, discipline, and other education activities. Assistant educators are not found in all classrooms, and instead are mostly employed in preschools, primary schools, and schools for special needs children.

Assistant educators receive certifications through technical schools, and a diploma from a gymnasium or general secondary school is not required, nor is a university degree. There are two subgroups of assistant educators: early childhood assistant educators and special needs assistant educators. Early childhood assistant educators are only employed in preschools, while special needs assistant educators typically work specifically with special needs children.

### Early childhood teachers

Early childhood teachers (Estian: *Varaselapsepõlveõpetajad, VLÕ*) are teachers who are certified to teach children aged 2–6. Early childhood teachers are employed specifically in preschools, and are sometimes also known as preschool teachers (Estian: *eelkoolõpetajad*).

Early childhood teachers typically receive secondary school diplomas through general secondary schools, studying programs in early childhood education, social sciences, or child development, but may also receive diplomas through gymnasiums or technical schools as well. They then must receive a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from a university, and afterwards pass a licensing exam in early childhood education. During their studies in university, students must also spend eight weeks as an apprentice at a preschool, shadowing actual early childhood education teachers.

### Primary education teachers

Primary education teachers (Estian: *Põhidusõpetajad, PIÕ*) are teachers who are certified to teach students aged 6–13. Primary education teachers are employed in primary schools, although they are not permitted to teach lower secondary education.

Primary education teachers typically receive secondary school diplomas through general secondary schools or gymnasiums, although they may receive diplomas through technical schools as well. They then must receive a bachelor's and master's degree in primary education from a university, and pass a licensing exam in primary education. During their undergraduate studies in university, students must also spend eight weeks as an apprentice at a primary school, shadowing actual primary education teachers, and must spend one quarter of the year shadowing a primary school teacher during their graduate studies.

### Lecturers

Lecturers (Estian: *Ōppejõud*) are teachers who are certified to teach students aged 13 and older. Lecturers are employed in primary schools, gymnasiums, general secondary schools, and technical schools, although they are only permitted to teach lower secondary education in primary schools. Lecturers also specialize in a specific subject, rather than just become general teachers. All lecturers specialize in one of the Estian gymnasium programs: classical studies, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, history and literature, or foreign languages.

Lecturers typically receive secondary school diplomas through general secondary schools or gymnasiums, although they may receive diplomas through technical schools as well. They then must receive a bachelor's degree from a university in any given subject, a master's degree in secondary education from a university, and pass a licensing exam in their desired subject. During their graduate studies in university, students must spend one quarter of the year shadowing a lecturer in an actual school setting.

### Specialty educators

Specialty educators (Estian: *Erialaedukaatsijad, EE*) are educators who are certified to teach a specialty subject. The most common specialty educators teach subjects such as art, music, home economics, foreign language, health, physical education, and other similar non-traditionally academic subjects. Specialty educators, like assistant educators are not teachers, and are considered to be a distinctly different occupation than teachers in Estian society. They may be employed in primary schools, gymnasiums, general secondary schools, technical schools, and post-secondary educational institutions.

Specialty educators receive their certifications through differing methods. Specialty educators of traditional subjects, such as art and music, typically receive secondary school diplomas from general secondary schools, and later a bachelor's degree in art education or music education, respectively, from a university. Speciality teachers of less traditional subjects may have no specific qualifications at all, but instead be "widely respected" within their field, and have completed an eight-week education course at an adult education center.

### Professors

Professors (Estian: *Professorid*) are the most elite and respected educators in Estland. Professors are typically only employed in post-secondary educational institutions, typically universities. Most professors only teach for part of the year, and spend the remainder of the year working on research projects or authoring books within their areas of expertise.

All professors must also be certified as lecturers, so the process of becoming a professor begins with becoming a lecturer. After a lecturer has at least five years of experience working in a secondary educational setting, they may begin to apply to professorships at post-secondary educational institutions. These are often competitive positions, and most faculties require doctoral degrees in order to be considered for a position. There are various ranks of professors, with these ranks most often being determined by the individual schools themselves. Most professors begin as adjunct or assistant professors, before eventually becoming tenured professors, who are the most elite educators in Estian education.