Eesti in brief - 2011-07-07

The authors of the document “Estonian Education Strategy 2020” stated that the stratum of under-educated men with alcohol problems that has developed in Estonia maintains several social ills and is a drain on the country’s already scarce human resources, writes Postimees. The strategy points out that nearly 12-14 percent of the young generation are currently not getting any further than acquiring a basic education. Hence these persons are also not prepared to manage in the labor market. Sociologist Marju Lauristin stated that this segment of society is one of the sources of numerous problems in Estonia – crime, alcoholism, dysfunctional and broken families, lack of parental supervision. While it is usually thought that the school drop-outs are mostly the victims of the socio-economic situation, Lauristin stated that a large part of it is linked to educational practices. The strategy recommends that each young person be taught more on the basis of personal needs, taking into account gender differences and different types of talent.

A pan-Estonian poll carried out by Emor revealed that Estonian residents would trust Toomas Hendrik Ilves with the office of the president for the next five years, reports National Broadcasting. Of 500 respondents, 49 percent stated that they would prefer Ilves as the next president. Indrek Tarand, a candidate nominated by the Center Party, received the vote of 23 percent of the respondents. Twelve percent found that neither would be a suitable president and that a third person ought to take this office, while 15 percent of respondents had no opinion. The biggest difference in support appeared between different ethnic groups. Among Estonians, Ilves’ support was 62 percent and Tarand received 22 percent. Among non-Estonians, Ilves was supported by only 21 percent and Tarand by 25 percent. The first round of voting in the Riigikogu will take place on August 29 this year.

The national register of cultural monuments available on the National Heritage Board’s Web site now points out specific information and photos on nearly 600 artistic monuments stolen in Estonia, reports Postimees Online. The board asks that anyone having any information about these artifacts report it to the relevant authorities. While thus far the list was available to officials only, it was decided to bring the information to the public; data on all artistic monuments – approximately 14,000 – was reviewed. 598 artifacts of them are stolen. The first thefts included are from the 1970s; major waves of theft hit churches in the beginning of 1990s and during the years 1999, 2006 and 2007. Queries in the register can be made based on the local government’s name or on the time of theft. In clicking the line of an artifact in question, one will see more detailed information and the description of the artistic monument in question.