The Ida-Viru County vocational education center is facing a low attendance rate in its Estonian language courses, with only one-fifth of the expected students showing up. In response, the school's director, Hendrik Agur, reached out to parents via a Russian-language social media post, asking them to emphasize the importance of language learning to their children. Agur framed the courses not as a requirement but as an opportunity that could lead to better education and future prospects for students in Estonia.

However, Narva Mayor Katri Raik (SDE) has criticized Agur's approach, suggesting that he has failed to do the necessary groundwork to ensure the success of these courses. Raik's criticism points to the need for better communication and outreach to the community regarding the benefits of learning Estonian, which is crucial for integration in a predominantly Russian-speaking region. The tension between the school administration and city leadership raises questions about how to effectively promote language education in areas where the majority language is not widely spoken.

This disagreement highlights the ongoing challenges of integration and language education in Estonia, particularly in regions like Ida-Viru where the Russian-speaking population predominates. It reflects broader societal issues related to language policy and the importance of fostering language skills for improved access to education and professional opportunities. As Estonia continues to navigate its multilingual landscape, the outcomes of such conflicts could have significant implications for future educational strategies and social cohesion in the region.