Chapter 16: National Policies and Practices on ICT in Education: Estonia

Estonia has a comprehensive school system with a compulsory national curriculum and a single-track structure (see Figure 16.1). Pre-primary education is not compulsory in Estonia, although 80% of 4-year-old children go to kindergarten (European Commission, 2006a). Compulsory education lasts until the end of lower secondary education or until the age of 17. After completion of basic schooling, students can continue in general upper secondary education (the gymnasium) or in vocational education. Both educational tracks allow students to continue studies in higher educational institutions. Admission is based on procurement of a secondary education certificate and the candidate’s performance on state examinations held at the end of upper secondary education.