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EDU-cation: First Steps Towards a United Estonian School

The first of September, the Day of Wisdom (Tarkusepäev/Teadmistepäev), has a special tradition in Estonia. Even on a Sunday, like this year, it is the first day of the school year, celebrated by dressing nicely and bringing a bouquet of flowers for the teacher.

Johanna Helin
Johanna Helin—Doctoral candidate in Education Leadership and Policy, OISE, University of Toronto

This school year, the day was all the more exciting for Russian-speaking parents as all first graders started learning in the Estonian language.

The long-debated transition of previously Russian-language schools into Estonian language instruction is now taking place. This year, kindergarten, 1st and 4th grade classes started being taught in Estonian and gradually, by 2030, all schools should use Estonian as their language of instruction.

... a common language is understood as the first necessary step towards a united Estonian school where all children — regardless of their home language and background — would learn together, gradually leading towards a more cohesive, less segregated society.

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