Opportunities to learn your native language and culture at school

The Government of the Republic of Estonia has made it possible for pupils to learn their native language and culture at the school they attend.

The procedure and conditions are set out in Estonian Government Regulation No. 54 of 29 August 2024, "Keele- ja kultuuriõppeks võimaluste loomise tingimused ja kord" (Conditions and procedure for creating opportunities for language and culture learning).

Under § 21(3) of the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act (Põhikooli- ja gümnaasiumiseadus), a school is REQUIRED to organise native language and culture lessons for pupils in grades 1–9 if at least 10 applications are submitted by parents. This means at least 2 lessons a week.

A Ukrainian language group can be formed from pupils of different grades or even different schools if necessary.

What parents need to do:

If the school has at least one Ukrainian teacher:

• Contact them and ask them to share the information with other Ukrainian families.
• Write an application addressed to the school principal (on paper or electronically with a digital signature).
• Submit it to the school secretary by 31 May 2025.
• Lessons must be organised from 1 September 2025.

If the school has no Ukrainian teachers:

• Share the information with other parents.
• Encourage them to write applications too.
• Submit your application by 31 May.

Information provided by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia.