Starting March 1, a new teacher career model in Estonia will be implemented as part of amendments to the basic and upper secondary school laws. This model aims to streamline teacher classifications and salary structures but has faced criticism and confusion regarding its application. The government recently confirmed the model and the corresponding salary tiers, yet, educators are still left questioning the specifics of how these changes will be integrated into existing school systems.

The Ministry of Education and Research has distributed guidance materials to schools, instructing them to categorize their teachers according to the new model by the end of March. However, concerns have been raised regarding the complexity of the model. Educators like Margit Timakov, a union board member and head of Tallinn United Gymnasium, emphasize that the categorization process is intricate, requiring careful consideration not just of graduation dates but also of the specifics of the teacher's educational background, including whether they have graduated in pedagogy or another field, which could considerably affect their classification.

In larger schools, such as Kristjan Jaak Peterson Gymnasium in Tartu, the implications of this new model may vary significantly. While intended to improve teacher recognition and compensation, the uncertainty surrounding the details of its implementation could lead to disparities and dissatisfaction among educators. As schools prepare for the transition, the effectiveness of this new model in achieving its goals of clarity and equity within the teaching profession remains to be seen, with ongoing dialogue necessary among stakeholders to resolve the existing confusions and concerns ahead of the deadline.