Editorial: a dubious precedent in Tallinn school network

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Photo: Küllike Rooväli

We might as well start with a contemporary Estonian proverb: higher education for free, basic education for money. For thus, fears the Ministry of Education, will it be if Tallinn’s new initiative – Tallinn City Centre Basic School, a private one – is awarder education licence. The plan is somewhat dubious indeed.

Market logic would be simple, of course: demand attracts offers. But should market logic dictate education policy? In some countries that would be a given; not in the ones, however, that we line ourselves with. For such developments would go against our current values of reducing the links between kids’ schooling and parents’ paychecks – ensuring a level field in basic education, hopefully. In reality, this will never fully work – the kids’ abilities and desires being differing – and therefore admissions tests and private schools have found their place.

Private schools of general education are nothing new in Estonia. The best known, probably being the Rocca al Mare School, in Tallinn. Private schools are a needed alternative to the school network. As a rule, private schools arise as something is needed in an area, not offered by the usual schools.

Sadly, with the new City Centre Basic School, this does not seem to be the case. Other private schools might even consider it unfair competition – talking the market talk. The school basically taking the Science School’s reputation and traditions, using these to create a paid copy of the big school – right next to it. Nothing would hinder other reputable schools from following suit: demand-wise, a class-full of kids is left out every year, in tests. In the worst case scenario, a regional school network will then look like this: there are the good paid basic schools and the bad free basic schools. The choice determined by parents’ incomes.

When active people take initiative, are willing to invest into education and foresee a place for a new school, the local government ought to support them – but also provide direction. The local government – in this case the City of Tallinn – should see the big picture and assess the risks caused by the precedent of a private school next to a reputable municipal school. This surely is a task more complicated that just to shrug one’s shoulders, saying this is none of our business, Tallinn abounding with schools.

The rush towards Science School shows the education there provided is highly valued. However, this also serves to show that, as proven by mass tests to enter schools which have them, not all parents trust all Tallinn schools alike. Knowing this, local leaders should be searching for reasons and solutions. Sadly, every spring, Tallinn shows the same attitude: if there is a problem to be ignored, or rolled over to Ministry of Education, they will gladly do it.

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