Lessons from Estonian schools (Europe’s best education)
If it were not for making you so sad and/or angry, it would be almost comical that the way for a government to try to solve a problem is to just quote numbers and try to do better. It never occurs to any MPs or government ministers, that to solve something bad, you simply look to whichever country is getting things right, and do what they do? It’s a no-brainer.
Estonia has Europe’s best education system by far. So let’s look at what they do that England doesn’t. And by implementing a few changes, we could rank up there with the best education system too.
Estonia (tall trees and tall people!)
First of all, let’s get to know Estonia, so you know where you are! Situated next to Russia and Latvia, Estonia is a beautiful country in northern Europe, half of it covered in forests and with over 1500 islands. Known as the first country worldwide where 100% of government services are available online (including voting), it also has the highest number of small start-up businesses, with free Wi-fi available almost everywhere.
The capital city of Tallinn is as ancient and beautiful as Prague, and the whole country has some of the cleanest air on earth (along with its neighbouring Finland). It’s also one of the best places on earth to view the Northern Lights (aurora borealis).
The only reason you may not enjoy it if you visit is you’re petite – you may get neckache talking to people, as this country has the world’s third tallest people!
Far fewer students in classrooms
Estonia has a much lower population (less than 2 million people). But it has around 12 students per teacher (that’s half the average state school number in the UK). With many of the teachers being over 50, so perhaps dispensing a bit of life wisdom too!
In primary schools, the number is even lower, with around 11 students per class. Obviously it’s not possible to wave a magic wand to get down to that number. But by employing more teaching assistants, it would help to reduce the problems found in large schools.
One small school in England says that one advantage of small class numbers is that ‘bullying doesn’t even have a chance to get started’. If you were bullied at school (or likely knew someone who was), it’s a given that it was in a large classroom. A class of 10 or so pupils with a teacher supervising means it just won’t happen.
Read more on how to prevent bullying in schools (and offices).
Peer pressure and commercialism is also less likely. In a small classroom, you won’t have 29 children all wearing the same designer sneakers, and the child with parents on a low income being the ‘odd one out’.
This may not seem ‘educational’, but a child who feels ‘not in with the crowd’ is more likely to suffer educationally too, as he or she will be more stressed and isolated.
Outdoor forest education
Ironically (considering it’s one of the most forested and ‘outdoor’ countries’ in Europe where children often spend most time in nature), it also has one of the best broadband systems. It’s easy to take exams online for a student who lives somewhere rural, there is no issue.
Children age 3 to 7 attend pre-school, but they focus on social skills and holistic development, rather than times tables or making things with playdough. Think of things like forest schools and outdoor learning.
Free hot nutritious meals for everyone
All Estonian children receive healthy free hot school lunches for all incomes, to avoid stigma for children on low incomes.
Better nutrition means better learning. They don’t need ‘free breakfast clubs’ in Estonia, because all the children will get good snacks, meals and drinks when they turn up to school.
No educational snobbery
When they get older, children are not put into ‘higher and lower bands’. They get to choose whether to go down the academic route, or choose a vocational job. So if someone believes being a builder, plumber or gardener is preferable to studying history, it’s taken as just as important (which it is!) And given the same importance and funding by government.
Most first-time degree students also enjoy free tuition. So when they qualify, they don’t have to pay back the government. They can use their salary to buy a property and raise a family.
