Education and Science, Estonia, Legislation, Society

The government did not support making the exception since the Education Ministry confirmed that results show that the schools, where lower classes are taught in Russian, can handle teaching 60% of subjects in the Estonian language in the high school stage.

The Central Tallinn Russian Gymnasium, Haabersti Russian Gymnasium, Tallinn Linnamäe Russian Lyceum, Tallinn Mustjõe Gymnasium and Tallinn Tõnismäe Science School submitted the application for exception for the third time.

Regarding a similar exception application by the Narva Adult Gymnasium, the government decided to discuss it at a later date after listening to the proposals of the Minister of Education how to ensure the transition to teaching in Estonian in the school.

According to the law, the Estonian language is the study language in upper secondary education establishments, i.e. high schools. This means that at least 60% of the teaching has to take place in Estonian.

In a municipal gymnasium, another language can be the study language but the government has to give permission for that.

Education Minister Jürgen Ligi said last week in an interview to Postimees that the possibility of giving an exception to Russian schools from compulsory Estonian-language education should abolished altogether, as in cities, it has become a weapon of political pressure and de-motivates students.

"Surely it would be more convenient for Russians to study in their mother tongue, but it is short-lived, because it is more difficult in the long term. Language learning should start earlier, and signals that politicians give with regard to the state language, should be unambiguous," he said.