Headmasters show poor command of Estonian

TALLINN (BNS) - Headmasters of East-Viru county schools had to take language proficiency examinations in keeping with the standards established for their posts by March 1, but local self-governments have asked for an extension of the deadline for a third time.

The language inspectorate has already accepted an application from the Narva city government, the headmasters' employer, as well as a concrete plan to bring the headmasters' and deputy headmasters' command of the official language to an acceptable level, the daily Eesti Paevaleht reported.

Language inspectorate general director Ilmar Tomusk said there are grounds for confidence, because this time there is local initiative to change something.

"The earlier extensions were all on the language inspectorate's initiative," Tomusk told the paper. Promises were given to learn, but command of the language did not improve, he said.

A check by the language inspectorate last fall showed that there are only a few headmasters and deputy headmasters able to speak the official language above the elementary level in East-Viru county schools.

Of the total 70 headmasters and deputy headmasters of Narva, Kohtla-Jarve and Sillamae schools, only seven had a free command of Estonian, and none of the rest could speak the language at the required level.

Ain Kiviorg, mayor of Sillamae, where there were no headmasters or deputy headmasters capable of speaking Estonian at the required advanced level, said the city government watches that they keep on learning.

In our conditions it is too much to require command of Estonian at the advanced level - the intermediate level would suffice," Kiviorg said. "We have agreed the headmasters will take intermediate level examinations this year."

Tomusk said that if the present plans yield no results, the inspectorate will ask the municipal governments to find replacements for the headmasters and their deputies.

"We cannot fire anyone, we can only demand observation of the law," he added.

East-Viru language inspector Marge Magi pointed out that the language law has been in effect since 1989, and headmasters have been checked three times since 1993, but without any obvious results.

"If I were mayor, I'd dismiss the headmasters who have refused to acquire a command of the official language even at an intermediary level," Magi said.

"Speaking of integration, headmasters should be models also for their command of the language," he said.

In March, the language inspectorate is planning to organize a thorough inspection also in Tallinn's Russian-medium schools.