One-third of Estonian students need educational support

Nearly one-third of students in Estonia need some form of educational support, ERR reported, citing the Ministry of Education and Research. The needs range from temporary learning difficulties to deafblindness, while schools, universities and employers are increasingly adapting to students and workers who require assistance.

Jürgen Rakaselg, head of the ministry’s inclusive education department, said the proportion of students with more complex educational needs had remained relatively stable, while the number of students with less severe needs had increased significantly.

Mirell Viru, a special education teacher at Tamsalu School, said such needs were also being identified more effectively. Parents, teachers and other school employees can all notice when a student needs help, she said. A temporary drop in motivation or another short-term factor can significantly affect learning.

About 30 percent of students need support in some form, Rakaselg said. This does not mean that all of them require a simplified curriculum. Approximately 1.6 percent of students study under a simplified curriculum, a figure that has remained relatively stable.

Students with milder needs generally study in mainstream classes. About 20 percent receive general support, which is not legally binding and does not affect the amount of funding paid to local governments. This support is usually provided as part of daily schoolwork by a school psychologist, speech therapist or special education teacher.

Viru said teachers working in classes with several students who have special needs must adapt learning materials for the whole class. She added that teachers often need support from special education teachers and classroom assistants.

Rakaselg said support needs were often temporary, particularly during the basic school years. Most students who need assistance at some point can continue their education and enter employment successfully. Universities are already taking into account that some students may need support or adjustments, he said, while employers have also become more flexible and increasingly willing to make reasonable adaptations.