A value-based educational culture to support the transition to Estonian-language education

Programme “Developing a Value-Based Educational Culture in Municipalities to Support the Transition to Estonian-Language Education”

Programme start: 2023

The aim of the transition to Estonian-language education is to ensure equal opportunities for all children to achieve full self-realisation in the Republic of Estonia. The programme has been launched to support the development of values in kindergartens and schools that are in the process of transitioning to Estonian-language education.

According to the state’s long-term education strategy (the Education Sector Development Plan 2035 and the education vision “A Smart and Active Estonia 2035”), this aspiration is best achieved through a value-based kindergarten and school culture. Such a culture provides comprehensive support for learners’ developmental needs, promotes the autonomy of both learners and teachers, and enables learners to develop critical thinking skills. Educational institutions operating in this way foster citizens who share and reflect upon the common values of the Estonian state. A key challenge in shaping a shared-values-based and dialogical kindergarten and school culture is finding ways to support the capacity of the various stakeholders in educational institutions—learners, teachers, support staff, leadership and maintaining bodies—to act in a value-based manner, to make sense of values, and to engage in discussions about values.

The programme “Developing a Value-Based Educational Culture in Municipalities to Support the Transition to Estonian-Language Education” is implemented by the University of Tartu Centre for Ethics and supported by the Ministry of Education and Research.

For kindergartens

• A learning group programme focusing on the development of each kindergarten’s values development focus theme. Kindergartens work together with a critical friend and their own development team in six learning groups that meet both in person and online.
• Kindergarten-to-kindergarten job shadowing. Kindergartens participating in the programme have the opportunity to undertake job shadowing in expert kindergartens specialising in values education and development across Estonia. Job shadowing is offered in kindergartens belonging to the University of Tartu Centre for Ethics’ Good Kindergarten Network.
• Network learning meetings and training events.
• Exchange of best practices from kindergarten to kindergarten via the Good School database.

One of the aims of the programme is to facilitate the exchange of experiences of good value-based practices between kindergartens. We share both small- and large-scale success stories from kindergartens with early childhood education institutions across Estonia. These value-based success stories are published in the best practices database.

For schools

• A school-based development team programme focusing on the exploration and development of each school’s values development focus theme. Schools work together with critical friends and their own development teams through face-to-face meetings.
• Network learning meetings and training sessions.