Narva awarded transition class teachers
On June 5, 2025, a grateful evening for teachers – the first and fourth grades, who began training in Estonian, was held in the Narva Tar, on June 5, 2025. 86 teachers from seven Narva schools participating in language reform in the 2024/2025 academic year were invited to the event.
The reform started in September 2024 and will be carried out in stages until 2030: according to the plan, by this year all classes of the Estonian main school will switch to training exclusively in the state language. In the meantime, the reform affected only first -graders and students of the fourth grades.
Mayor: Teachers – Heroes of Reform
Speaking to the teachers, the mayor of Narva Katri Raik noted the exceptional role of teachers in the implementation of language reform. According to her, it was precisely on school teachers of the first grades that the main load fell in the first months of the transition: « This means that very, very much falls on the shoulders of the teacher, especially the first-class teacher. » Raik expressed admiration for the professionalism of teachers who managed to begin to teach objects on Estonian in difficult conditions. “Teachers who, despite difficulties, teach in Estonian transitional classes are real heroes of our time,” the mayor said.
By the beginning of 2024/2025, Narva was faced with a shortage of textbooks and materials on Estonian for Russian -speaking schools. Nevertheless, thanks to the efforts of teachers, the transition can be considered successful.
Teachers of the first and fourth grades have also become an object of increased attention from the authorities. “You are the most controlled teachers in Estonia. You were evaluated both the language department and the Ministry of Education. But in the end, we learned only what we already knew: teachers of the first and fourth grades, leading lessons in Estonian, speak the tongue – and speak very well, ”said Katri Raik.
In her appeal, Raik did not hide that the most serious trials fell on the share of teachers. She gave an example: if a fourth -class teacher had to teach the same children in Russian in the spring, and on September 1, to meet them in class with lessons in Estonian, this is an extremely difficult task.
“The next year will be completely different, it will be more difficult when the first and second, fourth and fifth grades will be studied in Estonian. In the fifth grade, items will appear that require a large vocabulary: history and literature, ”the mayor warned. She called on teachers in the summer to relax properly, gain strength and with new ideas to return to students in the fall.
The position of the ministry: support will strengthen
Vice-Chancellor in the language policy of the Ministry of Education and Science Kayri Kaldoy thanked the teachers for the selfless work: “Both I and my colleagues in the Ministry are immensely grateful for the work that you did this year. I know you are tired. I know, there is a feeling that there is no more strength … « . Kaldoy noted that in the course of all the difficulties that schools and teachers faced in the first year of reform – from the increased load to personnel and financial issues. “I am well aware of everything that is happening now – with both teachers’ salaries, and with different reforms, where sometimes it seems as if three, four, even five skins are trying to tear off from teachers. I am sincerely sorry that this is happening, ”the representative of the Ministry of Education and Science admitted.
According to Kaldoy, the Ministry is aimed at facilitating the life of teachers further. “I promise to you: both I and my colleagues are doing everything to make your work easier,” she assured the hall. In particular, the problem of lack of educational materials has already received the attention of officials. “As for training materials, a topic that is probably worries all – we will try to find solutions already by this fall in order to alleviate your work at least a little,” Kaldoy promised. She urged teachers to actively express feedback and inform the ministry what help they need: “Tell us where exactly you need support, and we will do it.”
First year: Difficulties and successes by the eyes of teachers
Perhaps the most valuable at the meeting were the stories of the teachers themselves, who directly implement language reform in the classes. Teachers honestly talked about the difficulties of the first year – and that they are given strength. “At first, of course, everyone was nervous, worried – how it will be,” admits Elena, a teacher from the Kesklinno school. According to her, the most unrest was at the beginning of the year, when the unknown was scared by both teachers and parents. The situation improved when the schools began to attend from the ministry and the language inspection: “By the time the checks began, the teachers have already trained and got used to the fact that someone was present in the lessons-therefore it was not so nervous,” said Elena. Gradually, teachers gained confidence in their abilities.
Among the main problems, teachers called the lack of textbooks and materials in Estonian – especially in some subjects. Nevertheless, Elena noted that the creative approach helps: “The teacher is such a profession that in any case, even if there is no material, the teacher will find a way out, how to teach it, how we did this year. We do not worry much and always hope for the best. And only so – with a positive – we can move on, and we are waiting for a long summer. ” According to her, the support of colleagues and the school administration, assistance to each other with the translation of materials, as well as special courses and consultations helped to cope with the task of the first year of reform. Behind the successes of children are great additional efforts of teachers: preparing new materials, extracurricular work on the development of the Estonian language in schoolchildren and constant self -improvement.
Anna, a fourth -grade teacher from the Vanalinna School, shared a similar experience. She confirms that the transition was more difficult for fourth -graders than the youngest students, and teachers had to get comfortable with a new role. “It was the worst thing at the beginning, because the unknown is ahead: you don’t know what will happen, how they will teach, how they will study …” Anna recalls. The first weeks in Estonian were stressful for both teachers and schoolchildren. However, after a few months, progress became noticeable. “Now, after a year, I can say: our school is fine. Children understand the Estonian language, answer Estonian, there are no big problems – the transition has passed well, successfully, ”the teacher notes. She says that the guys are gradually used to hearing Estonian speech in the lessons, and many began to boldly speak Estonian. The teacher’s team also gained valuable experience and confidence. “The beginning is made good, and I think we can handle it. In the fourth grade, it really turned out to be more complicated than in the first, but we work – children are slowly pouring into the new environment, ”Anna summarizes.
Photo: Anastasia Kivistik:
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