UK Parliament Education Committee Visits to Explore Estonia’s Education Success

Last week, the UK Parliament Education Select Committee, chaired by Helen Hayes MP, visited the Tallinn University School of Educational Sciences (HTI). The Committee’s aim was to learn from Estonia’s experiences and policies in early years education and educational technology, and to understand why Estonia’s education outcomes are remarkably strong in a European context.

The visit included several educational institutions and key meetings:

• PERG – the Committee explored the application of digital solutions and educational technology in teaching.
• Pääsusilma Kindergarten – an opportunity to observe high-quality early years practices and the day-to-day work of educators.
• Tallinn Education Board and TI-Hüpe, where CEO Ivo Visak shared experiences of collaboration between HTI and the local municipality.

In addition to the site visits, discussions were held between HTI researchers and the Committee members. The focus was on how Estonia’s teacher professional development, use of digital tools, and systematic approaches to early education contribute to the country’s outstanding learning outcomes.