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Part 6 of Tallinn University podcast: Estonia`s Success in Education

Mati Heidmets

Estonia is a world-leader in education. For example, in 2018 Estonian 15 year-olds had the highest scores in Europe in the OECD's PISA tests - the best standardized measurement of educational success available today. What is it about the Estonian education system that works so well? Are there lessons that other countries and educators should take from Estonia's experience? To find out, listen to the new episode, where Terry McDonald from SOGOLAS speaks with Dr. Mati Heidmets from Tallinn University's Centre of Excellence in Educational Innovation.

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Mati Heidmets identifies several factors contributing to Estonian position among top performers in the world. "First, I think it is our history. Our history which created and attitude towards education that education and schools are not something for fun. That`s a place for hard work," he explains. 

"Education and schools are not something for fun. That`s a place for hard work."

 

Another important characteristic of the Estonian education system is that extracurricular activities and possibilities are supported here. As much as 80% of primary school kids participate in music school, sports school or some other practices. These extracurricular activities promote their development outside the school and widen the children`s world view.

 

What can other countries learn about the Estonian model? According to Mati Heidmets, it is not really possible to take over the model directly, as each country has unique history and context. "I think that the way is to give more autonomy to schools to allow them to take decisions to shape their own curricula and to organize the teaching/learning process. I think this is a good thing to test in other countries - as in our context, it has given really positive results."