Education leaders from around the globe came together in Estonia this week to address the challenges facing education in the era of artificial intelligence. During this event, ministers from several countries participated in lessons at Estonian schools, which highlighted the unique approach of the country’s education system. Singapore’s education minister sent students from Laagna Gymnasium to perform on the xylophone, a demonstration of the collaborative efforts between educational institutions in both countries.

Singapore is recognized for its top-ranking education system globally, showcased by its superior PISA test results that emphasize student knowledge and skills. In contrast, Estonia ranks 6th in the same assessments, indicating significant performance but suggesting areas for potential growth and learning from Singapore. Interestingly, Singapore also emphasizes student communication skills, focusing on the cultivation of kindness and gratitude in education, hinting that there are lessons to be learned from Estonia’s approach as well.

One of the key observations from the event was the knack for initiative shown by Estonian students, who actively engaged in lessons by raising their hands and answering questions. This quality of participation is viewed as a result of the Estonian education system, which fosters student independence, responsibility, and collaborative relationships between teachers and students. This aspect of the Estonian system stands out, potentially offering an important lesson to education systems worldwide, including that of Singapore.