Education in Estonia

Infobox Education
country name = Estonia
agency

agency = Ministry of Education and Research
leader titles = Minister of Education and Research
leader names = Tõnis Lukas
budget = 4.12 billion EEK
budget year = 2006
primary languages = Estonian
system type = National
established events =
established dates =
literacy year = 2004
literacy total = 100
literacy men = 100
literacy women = 100
enroll total =
enroll primary =
enroll secondary =
enroll post-secondary =
attain secondary =
attain post-secondary =
footnotes =

The history of formal education in Estonia dates back to the 13–14th centuries when the first monastic and cathedral schools were founded. The first primer in the Estonian language was published in 1575. The oldest university is the University of Tartu which was established by the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf in 1632. In 1919, university courses were first taught in the Estonian language.

Today's education in Estonia is divided into general, vocational and hobby education. The education system is based on four levels which include the pre-school, basic, secondary and higher education. [ [http://hm.ee/index.php?1 Ministry of Education and Research] , En_icon] A wide network of schools and supporting educational institutions has been established. The Estonian educational system consists of state, municipal, public and private educational institutions. There are currently 589 schools in Estonia. [http://ekk.edu.ee/ehis/failid/koolide_kontaktid.xls Estonian Education Infosystem] , Et_icon]

Academic higher education in Estonia is divided into three levels: bachelor’s studies, master’s studies, and doctoral studies. In some specialties (basic medical studies, veterinary, pharmacy, dentistry, architect-engineer and a classroom teacher program) the Bachelors and Master’s levels are integrated into one unit. [ [http://eurydice.org/Eurybase/Application/frameset.asp?country=EE&language=EN The Education System in Estonia: 2002-2003] , Eurydice En_icon] Estonian public universities have significantly more autonomy than applied higher education institutions. In addition to organizing the academic life of the university, universities can create new curricula, establish admission terms and conditions, approve the budget, approve the development plan, elect the rector and make restricted decisions in matters concerning assets. [ [http://bologna-berlin2003.de/en/national_reports/index.htm Implementation of Bologna Declaration in Estonia] , En_icon] Estonia has a moderate number of public and private universities. The largest public universities are Tartu University, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn University, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonian Academy of Arts, and the largest private university is the International University of Audentes.

The Estonian Academy of Sciences is Estonia's national academy of science. The IT industry of Estonia in late 1950s as the first computer centers were established in Tartu and Tallinn. Estonian specialists contributed in the development of software engineering standards for different ministries of the Soviet Union during the 1980s.A. Kalja, J. Pruuden, B. Tamm, E. Tyugu, "Two Families of Knowledge Based CAD Environments. In: Software for Manufacturing" (North-Holland), 1989, pp 125-134] H. Jaakkola, A. Kalja, "Estonian Information Technology Policy in Government, Industry and Research. In: Technology Management: Strategies and Applications." (Vol. 3, No. 3), 1997, pp 299-307]

External links

* [http://www.esis.ee/ist2000/einst/culture/education.htm Education in Estonia fact sheet by Estonian Institute]

References