The Ministry of Education is conducting a study to find out what teachers are doing. Based on this, recommendations will be made on how to make teachers' work easier.
Õnnela Leedo-Küngas, director of Nõmme Primary School, says that guidelines and recommendations don't solve the problem. Teachers do too much work because they have to do other people's jobs as well. For example, there is a shortage of psychologists and counselors.
Leedo-Küngas says that teachers should focus only on teaching. If they had fewer other tasks, the workload would be lighter.
She also says that Estonian teachers and school staff work overtime. Much of the work comes from reforms. Not all reforms are bad, but are there too many of them?
Leedo-Küngas believes that Estonia provides very good education. This is thanks to good teachers and children. But teachers have to work hard for this.
The Ministry of Education recommends teachers work differently. Leedo-Küngas thinks this won't help. Every class and child is different. Teachers have to prepare each lesson separately.
The Estonian School Leaders' Association says the study is necessary. It shows what teachers actually do. Then solutions can be found to make their work easier.
The study is being conducted for the first time in over 10 years. New data is needed to improve the situation. Many education workers and school leaders are participating in the study.
Finally, the Ministry of Education says the aim of the study is to help teachers. Based on the results, changes will be made so teachers can work better. Teachers' working hours are 35 hours per week.