Since the restoration of independence, it has been considered necessary to develop a uniform education strategy that would cover the whole spectrum of lifelong learning and several attempts have been made towards creating it (in 1998 and 2001, the draft strategies were discussed by the Riigikogu), but so far no final results have been formulated, mainly for political reasons as the drafts have been perceived as those of the current minister (or the ruling party).
The broad lines of Estonian education system have most comprehensively been described in the Estonian long term development plan “Sustainable Estonia 21”.
In 2009, in cooperation of three institutions, the Estonian Cooperation Assembly, the Estonian Education Forum and the Ministry of Education and Research, the process for developing a new lifelong learning strategy was initiated and in 2011, draft Estonian education strategy for 2012-2020 “The five challenges of Estonian education“ was developed. The document was introduced at national and regional seminars in the framework of the EU funded project Elu5x (Estonian Strategy of Education – Lifelong Learning) with a view to achieving a broader acceptance and implementation of the strategy. The project was run by Estonian Cooperation Assembly.
The elaborate strategy Estonian Lifelong Learning Strategy 2020 equipped with measures and activities was approved by the Government of the Republic on 13 February 2014.
It is a document which guides most important developments in education and is taken as a reference upon making decisions on the education budget in 2014-2020. Unlike the previous draft education strategies, the present strategy is a strategy of choices, which treats only the most important problems related to lifelong learning, finding solutions for which is critical for the society and affects the achievement of several goals.
The general objective set out in the strategy is to create opportunities for learning to all people in Estonia pursuant to their needs and abilities throughout their life in order to guarantee them possibilities for dignified personal fulfilment in the society, work and family life.
On the basis of the above, five strategic goals have been set:
- CHANGED VIEWS ON LEARNING: Views on learning which contribute to the individual and social development, development of critical mind, creativity and entrepreneurship of every learner shall be implemented in all levels and types of education,
- COMPETENT AND MOTIVATED TEACHERS AND HEADS OF SCHOOLS: There are competent and motivated teachers and heads working in schools; their work is evaluated on the basis of results and they are worthily remunerated.
- BRINGING LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN LINE WITH LABOUR MARKET NEEDS: Learning opportunities and career services which are of high quality and flexible with diversified choices and considering labour market needs contribute to an increase in awareness of Estonian people of learning paths and opportunities for professional fulfilment, and an increase in the number of people with professional qualification in different age groups.
- THE E-LEAP IN LIFELONG LEARNING: Learners and teachers shall wisely and successfully apply digital learning, on the basis of which views on learning are updated and learning skills are improved.
- INCREASE IN THE PARTICIPATION OF LIFELONG LEARNING AND EFFICIENT RESOURCE USAGE: participation in lifelong learning has increased and efficient resource usage contributes to the achievement of set goals.
For the implementation of these strategic goals, the Ministry of Education and Research has developed 9 programmes: a general education programme, a vocational education programme, a higher education programme, an adult education programme, a teacher and school leadership programme, a learning resources programme, a study and career counselling programme, a labour market and education programme and a school network programme.
The Ministry of Education and Research has initiated the preparation of Estonian Education and Research Strategy for 2020–2035. The aim is to develop a realistic long-term vision on how to develop the education system and research in Estonia so it would help the country to be a society of healthy and happy people, and which manages itself based on agreed values, responsible citizens and a successful economy that can compete at an international level. The strategy involves the entire domain of Ministry of Education and Research and its areas of policy.
Education, and indirectly research are areas that concern absolutely every person from cradle to grave. Therefore, we have opted for an inclusive approach in preparing the strategy. This means that the best experts in Estonia from different fields help to prepare the strategy – academics, scientists of different fields, teachers, education leaders, representatives of students and parents, entrepreneurs and representatives of other stakeholders and many others.
In the recent years, several decisions have been taken to make opportunities for acquiring education more flexible.
In the first half of the 2000s, development of the system of taking into account the previous study and work experience (VÕTA) was started. On 1 January 2007, the provisions on implementation of VÕTA in higher education came into force within the higher education standard. In 2009, an amendment to the vocational education standard was passed, treating VÕTA on the vocational education level. The principles of VÕTA are also used within the system of assignment of professions.
The Basic Schools and Secondary Schools Act adopted in 2010 provides for a possibility to take into account, upon agreement between a student and a school, studies conducted outside the school’s curriculum (in particular, studying at a hobby school like musical school, sports school, art school) as part of teaching and education of the school.