Skip to content
Accessibility
 °C
Search for information, services, etc.

Helsinki education delegation visits Tallinn: focus on social equality and the transition to Estonian-language education

Helsinki education delegation visits Tallinn: focus on social equality and the transition to Estonian-language education

On January 23, Tallinn’s Deputy Mayor for Education, Aleksei Jašin, met with an education delegation from Helsinki, led by Helsinki’s Deputy Mayor for Education, Johanna Laisaari. The visit focused on the shared challenges of the two cities' education systems and opportunities for closer collaboration. One significant initiative under consideration is organizing an education conference in Tallinn in 2026.

Key topics of discussion included socioeconomic segregation, positive discrimination in school networks, and Tallinn's transition to Estonian-language education.

According to Deputy Mayor Aleksei Jašin, Helsinki has already implemented several measures to empower schools with low performance, providing Tallinn with plenty of food for thought. At the same time, Tallinn’s education leaders also have unique insights and practical solutions to share.

“Tallinn and Helsinki have historically been strong and reliable partners in the field of education. This cooperation is especially crucial now, as both cities face similar challenges in reducing socioeconomic inequality and teaching non-native children in the national language,” said Jašin. “During the meeting with our Helsinki colleagues, we discussed the possibility of organizing an education conference in Tallinn in 2026 to strengthen collaboration. We agreed to begin consultations on the goals and concept of the conference. The educational success stories of Estonia and Finland are recognized globally. By working with our northern neighbors, Tallinn can contribute even more to highlighting our educational achievements on the world stage,” added the Deputy Mayor.

Helsinki’s Deputy Mayor for Education, Johanna Laisaari remarked: “The visit to Tallinn confirmed that Helsinki and Tallinn share a common vision of equitable and excellent learning opportunities for every child. Now is the perfect time to deepen our collaboration and strengthen the role of education both today and in the future. Equality is a particularly important value to me, not only as a child rights lawyer but also from the perspective of the City of Helsinki. It is essential that we continue constructive dialogue between our cities.“

Following formal discussions, the delegation visited Pae Gümnaasium and Ülemiste Kindergarten. At Pae Gümnaasium, they explored the transition to Estonian-language education, the school’s unique methodological materials, and experiences related to integration and the region's unique characteristics. At Ülemiste Kindergarten, best practices for supporting children with special educational needs were highlighted.

The collaboration between Helsinki and Tallinn is longstanding and strategically important. The cities have signed a cooperation memorandum, enabling regular meetings and the exchange of experiences across various fields.

The visit concluded with a constructive discussion and an agreement to continue close cooperation in the field of education to jointly find solutions for promoting social equality and ensuring the quality of education.