Later start leaves Paide students struggling with bus schedules

Järva County municipalities are seeking either an earlier start to the school day at Paide’s state upper secondary school or funding for additional transport, ERR reports. Classes now begin at 9 a.m., half an hour later than in previous years, creating problems for some students travelling by bus.

A bus from Aravete reaches Paide at 7:40 a.m., leaving students waiting almost an hour and a half before lessons start, parent Katre Pärnpuu said. The longer school day also makes it difficult for some students to catch buses home unless they leave their final lesson early.

Paide school director Margo Sootla said the later start suited or strongly suited 80% of students. Around 15 students, or about 20%, have transport difficulties. Of the 44 students at the school who live in Paide municipality, the parents of about half have asked the municipality to change the bus schedule or move the start time earlier.

Järva deputy municipal head Getter Klaas said the municipality sees two possible solutions: introduce a new bus route, with the municipality hoping the Ministry of Education and Research will cover the cost, or start the school day at 8:15 or 8:30 from January 1.

Paide has two state schools. The vocational college starts lessons at 8:15, while the upper secondary school starts at 9, even though students at both often use the same buses. About 30% of students depend on those buses every day, said Rein Oselin, director of the Järvamaa Vocational Education Centre.

The ministry said the Paide school has not formally asked to move the start time to 8:30, adding that later school starts have generally been well received across Estonia. Senior adviser Alo Savi said the ministry would work with Järva County municipalities to find a suitable solution if they approach it.