The need to rearrange Tallinn school network, to provide proper education unhindered by excessive or shrinking amounts of pupils – this is understandable. Even so: the way execution thereof is planned at least partially smells of settling of accounts between education ministry and city powers, possibly hindering birth of better organised study in Tallinn.
Education ministry is rightfully worried. Some schools, in Tallinn, are overcrowded and work in several shifts – to the anguish of parents. Next to these, there are the others with only ten students in a class, courting budget problems. By numbers, schools and classes differ three times over. Why so, is another matter; largely, differing levels come into play.
It would be wrong to assume the situation arose overnight. For decision makers, «occupancy» of schools, the differing quality levels, and numbers of children dwelling in Tallinn is nothing new – this has been known for years. Think of the problem with kindergarten places: could it be this has no relevance to kids going to 1st grade, in a few years? As we all know, kids are born long before school-time comes around. Likewise, rearrangements regarding basic schools and gymnasiums could have been planned years in advance – and, for that, recognised methodology is available.
True, due to differences in schools’ levels, Tallinn does face a difficult situation: in districts around popular schools, population register data seems set to evade reality. Even so, this isn’t a new problem either – rather a years-long one.
Unavoidably, one gets the impression that the current anger of teachers and parents is not caused by attempts by Tallinn to sort out the school network – rather, by the way this is done. As a rule, as officials differ on how things ought to be done, they would hold discussions and find solutions. Ideally, they would even ask schools and parents what they think would be the best solution. Should merger be decided, it would be possible to find ways to unite schools in a way avoiding problems with distances and levels. Sure, a tough-guy approach can also be used: set the plans, «level» the levels, and channel the anger caused towards the other party.
Alas, this is where things seem to be heading. City government accuses the ministry: we must obey orders though we don’t like it and neither do the parents. With everybody upset, who will afterwards remember that the ministry never demanded mergers of specific schools?
As assured by Mihhail Kõlvart, Tallinn deputy mayor responsible for education, activity plan is still in the discussions phase. And a discussion regarding that plan – that’s what we very much long to see.