Reinsalu: Transition to Estonian-language education must be written into law

TALLINN – Isamaa MP Urmas Reinsalu said after the coalition negotiations on Friday that the three parties reached a common conclusion that the transition to Estonian-language education at all levels of education must be set out in law, Postimees reported.

Reinsalu said there was an in-depth discussion at the coalition talks on the so-called three pillars in relation to Estonian-language education. 

"We came to the joint conclusion that the transition to Estonian-language education at all levels of education must be laid down by law, and that the transition period, or preparatory phase, must begin already this year, with a law and action plan to be adopted this autumn," the former minister of defense, minister of justice and minister of foreign affairs said.

According to Reinsalu, the understanding of how to turn Russian-language schools into Estonian is quite similar among the parties: teachers must be motivated, the volume of teacher training must be increased, both schools and preschool institutions must be supported.

"Our understanding definitely is that in the future we will undoubtedly reach the point where there are no Russian-language schools in Estonia. But we certainly don't want to make any precepts or restrictions to parents concerning the choices of the educational journey, in terms of the choice of a particular school," Reinsalu added.

Coalition talks between the delegations of the Reform Party, Isamaa and the Social Democratic Party (SDE) began on Monday, June 13.