New Ruhnu school director praises Estonia’s smallest school

Heily Rikker, who will become director of Ruhnu Basic School this autumn, says the school’s small size does not limit its students, ERR reported. She said the school gives them every opportunity to succeed anywhere.

Rikker told ERR’s Vikerraadio programme Vikerhommik that she has links to small islands through her mother, who is from Kihnu. She considers herself from Pärnu, but has visited Ruhnu over the past 20 years and began working there as an Estonian language teacher the previous year.

She also met her husband on Ruhnu, which she described as a magnetic place where she has met many interesting people and formed lasting friendships.

“I dare say it is the most wonderful school building in the world,” Rikker said. The school operates in a former vicarage built in 1875, where education has been provided since the building was constructed. It was renovated and restored in 2016 and 2017.

Rikker described the building as a partly Swedish-style house, with green and red wooden floors and Swedish wallpaper. She said its welcoming and warm atmosphere also made it special.

The school currently has four students in full-time education and three studying at home. None of the students were born on Ruhnu. The full-time students include one from Tartumaa, one from Viljandimaa and two from Pärnumaa. The home-educated students are from Pärnumaa and Raplamaa.

One full-time student is in the second grade, while three are in the ninth grade. Lessons last 40 minutes, but often include a short break before the same subject continues in a longer, more flexible session.