Estonian education minister focuses on curriculum development at OECD forum in Poland

TALLINN - Estonian Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas participated in the OECD Global Forum in Warsaw on Dec. 16 and 17, where the focus was on the future of curriculum development and implementation across OECD member states.

Kallas delivered the keynote speech for the second day of the forum, highlighting Estonia’s educational strengths and future directions. During her visit, she also held bilateral meetings with Andreas Schleicher, director of education and skills at the OECD, and key education leaders in Poland, spokespeople for the Ministry of Education and Research said.

In her address, Kallas emphasized that Estonia’s curriculum reform is built on the principles of learner-centered and future-oriented education, aiming to meet the evolving needs of society and the labor market.

"Our objective is to advance a research-based and flexible curriculum that supports the growth of every student and fosters lifelong learning, while prioritizing the importance of feedback. We must also place greater emphasis on 21st century skills, such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and problem-solving," the minister said.

Kallas also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing education.

"AI is a powerful tool that opens up entirely new ways of understanding learning and sets new demands for skills. At the same time, we must maintain a balance between technology use, physical activity, and social interaction. Education must remain fundamentally human-led -- AI serves as a tool for teachers, not a replacement," she added.

As part of her visit, Kallas held a bilateral meeting with Andreas Schleicher, where discussions revolved around the effective integration of technology into education. Schleicher praised Estonia as a global leader in education and expressed strong support for the possibility of hosting an International Teacher Summit in Estonia in 2026.

The minister also met with professor Alojzy Z. Nowak, rector of the University of Warsaw, and the university’s leadership. The discussions focused on pressing issues in higher education, including funding challenges, digitalization, and the evolving role of universities in society. The University of Warsaw, Poland’s largest higher education institution, is recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

The visit concluded with a meeting with Krystyna Szumilas, chair of the Polish parliament's education committee. Topics discussed included ongoing education reforms in both countries, the digital competencies of students and teachers, and the broader role of technology in education.

Kallas also took part in media engagements, including an interview for the education podcast of the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, where she shared Estonia’s success story in education and its students’ high performance in international assessments. Additionally, she appeared live on TVP World, where she addressed critical issues related to media literacy and disinformation.