Estonia Confirms Russian Language Permitted in Kindergartens
Estonia's Ministry of Education has clarified that current legislation allows for the use of Russian in kindergartens as a pedagogical tool to support a child's adaptation and well-being, a formal response from Minister Kristina Kallas to a parliamentary inquiry.
- —The Estonian Ministry of Education and Science has stated that current legislation does not prohibit the use of the Russian language in kindergartens, including in adaptation groups, when it is deemed necessary for a child's development and well-being.
- —Minister of Education Kristina Kallas responded to a written inquiry from MP Aleksandr Tšapigin, clarifying that the requirement for instruction in Estonian does not equate to a complete ban on other languages that aid a child's understanding and adaptation.
- —The ministry indicated that a bilingual approach or the use of a child's native language is pedagogically sound when a child has insufficient command of Estonian.
- —Regarding educators for children with special educational needs, the ministry does not plan to revise qualification requirements, emphasizing that employers assess the necessary special pedagogy competencies.
- —The ministry also confirmed that 'leveling groups' (tasandusrühmad) in kindergartens were abolished with the new preschool education law in December 2024 and are no longer provided for in legislation.
Recap
The Estonian government is articulating a pragmatic educational policy that balances national language integration with the practical needs of non-Estonian-speaking children. By officially sanctioning the use of Russian as an adaptation tool, the ministry aims to quell concerns about overly rigid language laws while maintaining the overarching goal of Estonian-language instruction. The move signals a focus on individual child welfare over inflexible linguistic mandates and reaffirms stability in educator qualification standards.