The Ministry of Education and Research has proposed changing the employment relationship of state school directors to permanent. Currently, state school leaders have five-year contracts, while municipal and private school leaders have permanent employment contracts.
Minister Kristina Kallas stated that the current system creates an unequal situation. She emphasized that there should be a unified legal framework for school leaders.
Kallas added that the quality of school leaders is ensured by the certification system. This system will come into effect in 2026 and will check the leader's work every five years.
Fixed-term employment contracts do not provide added value. Universities and other partners are also against fixed-term contracts.
For the changes, it is necessary to amend the Vocational Educational Institution Act and the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act. The new law states: "A permanent employment contract is concluded with the director."
If the changes are adopted, the minister or their authorized person will start concluding employment contracts with state school directors.