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RASK represents the parents of Toila in a legal dispute with the municipality.
RASK represents the parents of Toila in a legal dispute with the municipality.
RASK attorneys Villy Lopman and Elvi Tuisk explained to Postimees that decisions of this nature must carefully consider their impact. Experience shows that in such cases, there is often a tendency to simplify or even avoid discussing the various connections, effects, and consequences. When making such decisions, local governments must investigate, analyze, and weigh all relevant data, involving students, parents, teachers, and other affected community members. Too often, important facts are left undiscovered, experts are not involved, and decisions are made based on assumptions. The goal tends to be simplification and optimization.
Such issues are never isolated in their impact – they affect the future of children and their families, the sustainability of smaller regions, and regional policy. In the case of the Toila lawsuit, an additional dimension comes into play – quality Estonian-language education, which ultimately means the preservation of the Estonian language and culture.
RASK attorney, Villy Lopman, emphasizes: "The Ministry of Education and Research should analyze in advance how the decision will affect Estonian students if they have to attend a school where the majority of students do not speak Estonian as their native language." According to him, this is an experiment without proper analysis: "This is a human experiment without any studies, and we are just waiting to see what happens."
Attorney Elvi Tuisk adds: "The Ministry of Education tends to avoid its responsibility, relying on the formal claim that instruction is in Estonian, while ignoring the impact of these decisions on the quality of children's education."
The complaint also refers to expert opinions from linguist Martin Ehala and philologist Kerstin Schmidt, which explain that a high percentage of students who do not speak Estonian as their native language negatively affects the academic performance of native Estonian speakers.
It is important to note that the decision to close any municipal school rests with the local government. The Ministry of Education and Research can make recommendations, but the final decision and responsibility lie with the municipality. RASK law firm emphasizes that every decision must be preceded by a thorough and lawful process.
For more details, read the full article HERE.