Narva schools denied exemption from transition to Estonian-language education | News

The Estonian government has made a firm decision to uphold the transition to Estonian-language education in Narva, denying exceptions to five schools and three kindergartens in the city. Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas emphasized that class- or group-based exemptions would not be granted simply because children with special educational needs were enrolled.

Kallas clarified that the current system already allows for tailored education for students with special needs, and it is not accurate to claim that some children are unable to transition to Estonian entirely. She stressed the importance of individualized approaches for children with specific needs, rather than implementing broad exemptions based on class.

The City of Narva had applied for a partial permit for the upcoming academic year, seeking to maintain 40 percent of classroom instruction in Russian for certain classes and groups. However, the government’s special committee for the transition to Estonian-language education found no compelling reasons to grant these exceptions.

Instead, the committee provided recommendations on how to support children with special needs during the transition, including additional Estonian language lessons and learning support from assistant teachers who speak the students’ first language.

While the law mandates Estonian as the sole language of instruction in schools and kindergartens, exceptions can be made with valid reasons. The government’s decision underscores its commitment to providing quality education for all students, including those with special needs, as they transition to Estonian-language instruction.