Education in Estonia

The Constitution (§ 37) states that “everybody has the right to an education. Attending school is compulsory for all school-age children to the extent established by law, and is free in general education schools established by state and local governments.

The Estonian educational system consists of state, municipal, public and private educational institutions:

• preschool children’s institutions

• kindergarten-primary schools

• primary schools

• basic schools

• secondary schools (gümnaasium)

• vocational educational institutions

• professional higher schools

• universities

• further education institutions

• hobby schools and other educational institutions.

The Education Act states that in accordance with the UNESCO international standard of education classification, education has the following levels:

• preprimary education

• basic education

• secondary education

• higher education.

Each level has its established requirements which are called the state educational standards and are presented together with state curricula. The curricula contain the mandatory study programmes, time scheduled to cover the programmes, and descriptions of compulsory knowledge, skills, experience and behavioural norms.