The Estonian Ministry of Education is set to embark on another revision of the national curricula, which saw a significant overhaul just last year in 2023 after being in place for 15 years. This new initiative aims to address two key areas: the volume of elective subjects in basic education, and the emphasis placed on different aspects of the assessment system. Helen Köhler, an advisor in the curriculum field at the Ministry, informed ERR that a team of researchers has been working on the concept for the new general and vocational education curricula since early last year.

The upcoming revisions are expected to revamp core educational values, school objectives, general competencies, and teaching methodologies. Köhler highlighted that there will be a greater focus on individual learning paths and the acquisition of general competencies, signaling a shift towards more personalized education. Furthermore, the assessment system will undergo significant changes, with increasing importance placed on supporting learning rather than merely measuring outcomes, which aligns with contemporary educational trends emphasizing holistic evaluation strategies.

Köhler also pointed out that the existing curricula established in 2011 do not adequately reflect changes in the school system and labor market requirements, indicating a need for the curricula to evolve. This initiative aligns with the broader trends in educational reform aimed at improving student engagement and ensuring educational content meets the current and future needs of both students and the job market.