The government has promised to pay general education teachers in Ida-Viru County who speak Estonian 1.5 times the salary compared to other regions starting from the next academic year. While the exact regulation is still in the works, schools and local governments have a plethora of unanswered questions.
On Thursday, the government approved the Ministry of Education and Research's comprehensive action plan for the transition to teaching in Estonian. For example, the state will motivate teachers who relocate to Ida-Viru County with higher salaries and provide them with inexpensive housing.
Ukraine has agreed in principle to recognize the education systems of five EU countries, including Estonia, so thousands of refugee children studying in these countries will not have to repeat their schooling when they return home.
Negotiations regarding the possible nationalization of three schools in Lüganuse Municipality have not been running smoothly, with the Ministry of Education and Science taking almost two months to provide the municipality with a formal proposal.
Next year's budget will total 15 billion euros and have a deficit of approximately 3 percent. Money has been allocated for defense, energy subsidies and salaries, but little for other areas, such as investments in transport.