Couple of thousand children from Ukraine registered for schooling in Estonia

TALLINN – According to the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research, nearly a couple of thousand children who have fled the war in Ukraine mostly with their their next of kin have been registered in the Estonian education system, and Ukrainian educators have started working in schools here.

A total of 1,942 children and young people who had arrived in Estonia from Ukraine had been registered in the Estonian education information system EHIS as of Monday, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education and Research said on Tuesday. Of these children, 353 are in primary education, 1,426 in basic education, 118 in upper secondary education and 45 in vocational education.

Liina Pold, deputy secretary general of the Ministry of Education and Research, said Ukrainian war refugees have reached kindergartens and schools in all of Estonia's counties.

"The creation of additional study places has been considered in regions where more students from Ukraine will remain in the future. This does not necessarily mean the establishment of a new school, but creating additional places at the existing school," Pold said.

According to the official, for example, the Lillekula Gumnaasium high school, in Tallinn is about to open a branch with a capacity of up to 200 students on Raagu Street.

According to EHIS, the biggest numbers of children from Ukraine have been registered in educational institutions in Harju County, 763, Tartu County, 230, Parnu County, 227, and East-Viru County, 154. Where a week ago only nine children were registered in Saaremaa, now there are already 45. There are now 23 children and young people from Ukraine registered in Viljandi County, where as recently as last week there were only two.

"I'm glad to note that Ukrainian educators have already started working in schools and kindergartens in different positions and can support Ukrainian children and young people there," Pold said.

Many schools across Estonia have hired employees who have come to Estonia from Ukraine. According to data compiled by the ministry, 65 Ukrainian war refugees have started working in 47 general education and vocational schools. Most of them work as teachers or teacher assistants, but there are also psychologists, support persons, study coordinators and, for example, people who help in the canteen or help maintain the school building.