Estonian education minister: Basic school remedial exams to be abolished

TALLINN - The Estonian Ministry of Education and Research has sent on a round of approvals a draft regulation seeking to amend the national curriculum for basic schools and upper secondary schools.

The goal of the changes is to ensure that, starting in 2026, every young person can continue their education in upper secondary school or vocational training regardless of the results of basic school final exams.

Kallas emphasized the importance of the changes: "Every young person must have the opportunity to move on to the next level of education. We must not push young people out of the education system because of a single failed exam or a poor grade. It is important that schools offer them additional support and help them catch up on the necessary knowledge. This way, we ensure that the education system does not exclude but supports every student."

The draft regulation eliminates the requirement to pass remedial exams in basic school. A student who does not achieve the 50 percent threshold on final exams or who has a weak or failing year grade in up to two subjects can still graduate from basic school. These students will receive additional learning support, either in preparatory studies or in the next level of education.

The changes affect the national curriculum for basic school, the simplified national curriculum for basic school, and the national curriculum for upper secondary school. The latter clarifies the obligation of schools to offer support to students who continue their studies with partially unmet learning outcomes. Support may include remedial courses, subject-specific consultations, or an individual study plan.

The draft regulation has been sent for coordination and feedback to other ministries, local government associations, school leader organizations, student councils, and other partner organizations.

The regulation will enter into force in general procedure, and the changes will apply starting in the spring of 2026.

The requirement to continue studying will apply to students who began ninth grade this fall. This means they must continue their education after basic school, either in upper secondary school or vocational training, at least until they acquire a qualification or turn 18.

The changes aim to ensure that all young people can complete basic school and have guaranteed support for catching up with knowledge and skills at the next level of education.