Postimees Digest, Saturday, February 2
4th February 2013, 14:56
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POSTIMEES:
Ministry aims to abolish obligation to ensure kindergarten places.
The Ministry of Education and Science is working on an amendment to change the current obligation of local governments to make sure children have places at kindergartens. According to the plan, children between the ages of 1.5 and 3 can be offered babysitting services instead of kindergarten places provided there is parental consent.
The local government would still have to pay for the service. Children between the ages of 4 and 7 must still have access to places in kindergartens. The aim of the amendment is to alleviate local governments' obligation to provide preschool childcare as many lack funds to build new kindergartens and comply with the current obligation of ensuring kindergarten places for all 1.5 to 7 year-olds. The ministry refused to comment on the bill at this time, saying it is a draft subject to be changed at any time.
EU assesses "leaders" and "shirkers".
Analysts of the foreign relations council of the European Union have completed their assessment of the actions of Member States in the field of foreign policy. Estonia merited the title of "leader" in four categories, including participation in NATO and EU joint ventures aimed at security and defense in order to avoid the negative effect of budget cuts, the country's contribution in Afghanistan, participation in EU missions and efforts to promote more liberal visa regimes with Russia, Ukraine and Moldova.
On the negative side, Estonia merited the title of "shirker" in its lackluster support for a stronger position for the EU at the IMF and promotion of strategic dialogue between Europe and China.