Education
AI
Estonia Bets on 3-Year Contracts to Retain Trainee Teachers
Starting March 1, 2026, Estonia will allow schools to offer three-year contracts to teachers who are still pursuing pedagogical qualifications or hold a master's degree, a move designed to increase job stability and address shortages in key subjects like math and physics.
- —Starting March 1, 2026, Estonian schools will be able to offer three-year contracts to unqualified teachers who are pursuing pedagogical qualifications or hold a master's degree.
- —This change aims to provide greater job stability for aspiring educators and reduce administrative burdens for educational institutions.
- —The new contract terms are part of a broader reform that includes a career model, mentorship, and flexible learning conditions for teachers.
- —The Ministry of Education notes that teachers not meeting full qualification requirements are more prevalent in natural sciences, mathematics, physics, and physical education.
- —Universities, such as the University of Tartu, view the increased stability as a positive step, particularly for master's students who often work in schools concurrently.
Recap
Estonia's policy shift to longer contracts for trainee teachers is a pragmatic move to stabilize its education workforce, particularly in critical STEM fields. By formalizing the employment of students already in the classroom, the government is addressing immediate staffing shortages while betting that structured support and job security will successfully convert them into fully qualified professionals, mitigating the risk of a long-term decline in teaching standards.