Last year, many basic school graduates had difficulties finding a place in high school. Some only got clarity at the beginning of the new school year. The results of final exams are very important for students. Therefore, many attend courses in mathematics, Estonian language, and other subjects.
The Tallinn University of Technology's Eksamikool offers mathematics, Estonian language, and physics courses. Aet Karolin, the director of Eksamikool, said that interest in the courses grew a couple of years ago. At that time, there was confusion about the timing of final exams. Now, the courses have many ninth-grade students.
Karolin said that mathematics is the most popular subject. Estonian language courses are also important, especially now, as many are going to Estonian-language schools. Physics is also taught, but fewer students take it, as it is not a subject in final exams.
The Gustav Adolf Training Center also teaches mathematics, Estonian language, physics, and English. The center's director, Irene Andresson, said that mathematics courses are popular. After the summer confusion about getting into high school, interest has grown even more.
Andresson believes schools should ask themselves why students are not doing well in school. She thinks one of the reasons is the shortage of teachers and frequent turnover. In some schools, there are no teachers, or they change too often.
Karolin said that children's ability to concentrate has worsened over the years. In mathematics, however, concentration is very important. In Tallinn and Tartu, there are also large classes. The teacher cannot deal with each student individually. Classes have both strong and weaker students, making teaching harder.
Some students attend courses even though they have no problems with mathematics. They want to gain confidence that they will get into their desired school. Eksamikool teaches all basic school mathematics: percentages, fractions, and trigonometry. The school does not offer individual help but organizes group lessons.
Students come to the courses from both Tallinn and elsewhere. Eksamikool also organizes courses in Tartu and online. The Gustav Adolf Training Center has students from all over Estonia. There are both those who need help and those who want more confidence.
However, the courses are expensive. A course lasting a few months costs a couple of hundred euros. This is not affordable for everyone.
Hele Liiv-Tellmann, the chief expert of the Ministry of Education, said that schools should help students earlier. If a student needs help, the school should provide it. If the school does not help, parents can seek help from outside.
Liiv-Tellmann said that final exams are important, but the goals of basic school are broader. Students should be helped earlier, not just in the ninth grade. In large classes, it is harder to help students. The shortage of teachers and the heavy workload make the job tougher.
The courses are expensive and not accessible to everyone. This is a problem of educational equality. Schools should offer more help themselves. The presence and development of teachers are important. Teaching should be organized flexibly.