Estonian schools set varied plans for teachers’ warning strike

Estonian schools and kindergartens will handle Tuesday’s teachers’ warning strike in different ways, ERR reported. Some schools will ask students to arrive for the second lesson instead of the first, while others will provide childcare or continue lessons as normal because few or no teachers are striking.

ERR asked the leaders of five educational institutions how they had organised the strike hour, how many teachers would take part and what would happen to students and kindergarten children. The strike will run from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in kindergartens and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in schools.

The Estonian Education Workers’ Union could not give a final number of participants at around 4 p.m. on Monday because teachers could still join during the day and even during the strike. Union leader Reemo Voltri said about 10,000 teachers had registered to strike, representing half of all teachers.

Responses from school leaders showed that some schools would have all their teachers on strike, while others would have only a few participants.

Kalamaja Basic School will not provide childcare

Tiina Merilo, head of studies at Tallinn’s Kalamaja Basic School, which operates in two buildings, said about half of the school’s teachers were currently registered to take part: 20 of 41.

Because the warning strike will take place during the first lesson, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., students whose teacher is striking have been asked to arrive at 10 a.m.

Merilo said the school did not consider it appropriate to provide substitute activities or childcare during the strike.

“If a teacher is on strike, it is not really a strike if we organise childcare here,” Merilo said. “The strike must make society feel that something is wrong. That is the aim, not for students to come to school anyway while the deputy head and the principal run around trying to look after them.”

Saue State Gymnasium will cancel first lessons

Taavi Vilba, head of Saue State Gymnasium, said the exact number of striking teachers would become clear during Monday. Initial information indicated that between four and eight of the school’s 33 teachers had signalled their intention to take part.

The first lessons taught by striking teachers will be cancelled and not replaced, Vilba said. Students in those classes will come to school for the second lesson.

Teachers taking part in the strike have agreed to notify the specific classes that were due to have their first lesson at 9 a.m. The school will not arrange substitute activities.

Vilba said the minimum full-time salary for a qualified teacher at the school was currently 2,120 euros. Teachers who did not meet the qualification requirements received 2,070 euros, he said, adding that both figures were above the current national minimum.

He said a pay rise next year appeared difficult with the current resources and could be discussed only if additional funding became available.

Tartu Tamme Gymnasium will shorten first lesson

Ain Tõnisson, head of Tartu Tamme Gymnasium, said the school day would begin with a shortened first lesson.