The Ministry of Education states that children under 18 living in Estonia must study in an Estonian school. Studying in a foreign school or online school is not sufficient.
The Tartu city government asked the Ministry of Education which law requires this. Marika Peekmann, an expert from the Ministry of Education, said that it derives from the Education Act and the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act.
Peekmann said that the law does not allow fulfilling the obligation to study solely by studying in a foreign school. Local governments must verify whether the child is actually studying. If the child is studying in a foreign school, it is not easy to verify.
Peekmann added that the state cannot assess the quality of a foreign school or the level of its curriculum. This is particularly difficult in the case of online schools or alternative educational institutions.
The reform of the obligation to study is not just about ensuring education. The goal is to reduce dropouts and ensure that children do not fall into the category of neither studying nor working. For this, the learner must be traceable in the Estonian education system.
Starting from this academic year, those who have completed basic school must study in upper secondary school, vocational school, or preparatory education until the age of 18. Children of foreign diplomats are not required to fulfil the obligation to study.