Tallinn University admits 55 students for the bachelor's program and 42 students for the master's program in special pedagogy. This was stated by Tallinn University associate professor Tiiu Tammemäe. She added that there are increasingly more applicants for the special pedagogy program.
For the bachelor's program, the competition was 8.8 applicants per place. For the master's program, the competition was over 15 applicants per place. This is one of the highest competitions in Estonia.
Tallinn University trains as many special pedagogues as the Ministry of Education provides funding for. Currently, the university does not wish to increase the size of study groups. Although society may wish for more to be trained.
Tallinn Laagna Kindergarten-Elementary School is one school where children with special needs study. There must be two speech therapists and a special pedagogue working there. Additionally, a social pedagogue and a school psychologist. This was stated by the school director Andres Anton.
Speech therapists are not as in demand because Tartu University trains few of them. Laagna Kindergarten-Elementary School is currently looking for a special pedagogue, a speech therapist, and a school psychologist. Anton said that the search for support specialists has lasted at least a year.
It often happens that a candidate applies for several positions and then chooses the best offer. Anton said that schools create salary competition among themselves.
To obtain the qualification of a special pedagogue, a master's degree must be earned. A master's degree is also necessary for the qualifications of social pedagogue, speech therapist, and school psychologist. Graduates of the bachelor's program can work as kindergarten teachers or assistant teachers.
Institutions ask students to come to work. Many students already work during their studies. Jürgen Rakaselg from the Ministry of Education said that schools hire people who are not qualified support specialists.
According to the Ministry of Education, there are about 2200 support specialists working in Estonia. The situation is better with social pedagogues and special pedagogues. There is a shortage of psychologists and speech therapists.