Education and Science, Estonia, Legislation

The ministry based its position on the results of the pan-European study Eurostudent IV that demonstrate that Estonian students are generally either satisfied or very much satisfied with how much time they have for their studies and for work.

According to the survey, 83% of young students are satisfied with their work and study burden. Estonian students rank fifth with this indicator.

Estonian Student Bodies’ Union criticised the new draft law on study grants with the argument that having to work would prevent Estonian students to dedicate to their studies as much as they would need to. The Ministry of Education in turn emphasised that the Eurostudent poll also demonstrated that average work-related monthly income earned by Estonian students of up to 24 years of age was 136 euros whereas need-based grants that would be introduced next year would amount to 135 euros per month. Those will be paid in addition to performance-based grants that would be paid on the basis of academic results and professional grants that support students who study areas that are either very difficult or are prioritised.

The students’ organisation in turn claims that the Ministry of Education bases its arguments on data from the year 2010 while the study grants system was thoroughly reformed this spring and points out that full-time employment rate among Estonian students is much higher than the European average.

The draft law amending the Study Grants and Student Loans Act will be processed in Riigikogu in September.