Currently, there are 854 youths in Tallinn without a school place. This is nearly a fifth of basic school graduates. Deputy Mayor Andrei Kante stated this at a Tallinn City Government press conference.
The problem is particularly acute among graduates of transition schools. 28.7% of them are without a school place. Among graduates of Estonian-language schools, 12.8% are without a school place.
According to Kante's data, there are 480 youths without school places among transition school graduates. Among Estonian school graduates, 320 youths lack school places. Kante said the proportions are similar.
Kante believes the compulsory education reform is not working well. The state imposed compulsory education on youths but did not guarantee an opportunity to study for everyone. Many youths do not have sufficiently good results for admission to high school or vocational school.
Many youths need help with Estonian and mathematics. Kante said that completing basic school and continuing education requires good Estonian language skills and strong math. He recommended finding more Estonian language and math teachers.
Tallinn has done much to help youths. The city organizes admissions to non-stationary study in adult high schools. Additionally, all state-ordered preparatory study places at Tallinn Applied College have been filled.
Kante said Tallinn could do even more. The city is ready to start negotiations with the ministry. He thinks the ministry no longer has time for analysis but must act quickly.
There are currently 170 vacant teaching positions in Tallinn educational institutions. In June, there were nearly 300 vacancies. Recruitment continues until the first weeks of September. General education schools need class teachers, math teachers, and Estonian language teachers.
Kindergarten teaching assistants have left 300 positions due to language requirements. Currently, about 160 new teaching assistants have been recruited, and competitions are ongoing for 34 positions.