LeadEx Study Visit in Estonia

16/03/2026

Between 9–11 March, EARLALL was invited to the LeadEx project study visit in Tallinn,
Estonia. Gathering stakeholders, regional representatives, project partners and experts, these
days focused on the Estonian education system and discussed the findings from EARLALL’s
Joint Regional Report.
Heli Mattisen, the Director of HAKA, opened the event by reiterating the strong role of
education in today’s society, highlighting education as one of the key solutions for mitigating
societal prejudices and social exclusion.
Helen Arus, Head of General Education in HAKA, continued Mattisen’s message by
presenting insights on the Estonian education system. Emphasizing their opportunity to
rebuild its system after the Soviet Union by adopting an innovative and digital system. Arus
concluded her presentation with the importance of trust and autonomy and collaborating
closely with the labour market.
EARLALL plays a central role in the LeadEx project as communication manager and
advisory partner. Based on data provided through a dedicated survey among the project
regions, EARLALL presented the Joint Regional Educational Diagnosis Report. This report
aims to provide a comparative analysis of education systems across partner regions that will
be an important base for structuring the policy instruments. The report analyzed policy needs,
key challenges and strengths in relation to four sub-themes that define the LeadEx project:

Inclusion, diversity and excellence, such as meeting the needs of all students,
regardless of their abilities, cultural background or personal circumstances;
Educational innovation, for instance adopting new technologies and pedagogical
methods;
Integral development, exemplifying that excellence is not only referring to academic
skills, but personal growth, fostering soft skills, emotional and ethical skills;
Continuous Professional Development for teachers (CPD), ongoing teacher
training is essential to keep up to date with best pedagogical practices.

Teachers’ Professional Development (CPD) was the main focus for this study visit. Therefore,
EARLALL constructed an interactive workshop following the results of a report from the
Central Denmark Delegation. The workshop later provided participants the opportunity to
explore and discuss their best practices in groups.
The second day in Estonia, Taavi Kreitsmann from the Ministry of Education and Research
gave an overview of the current teacher professional development. He further discussed the
nationwide framework as an example of the contemporary approach to teaching and learning,
emphasizing initial planning as key to make pathways more effective and flexible.
Thereafter, Sigrid Aruväli, Head of Centre for Innovation in Education in Tallinn University,
explained the collaboration between Estonian universities, schools and teachers. Aruväli
explained that 1 in 4 novice teachers leave in the first years; to combat this problematic they
aimed to improve the cooperation between higher education institutions and schools, giving
novice teachers the opportunity to work with mentor teachers.

The last day concluded with an in-depth explanation about the results behind Estonia’s PISA
outcomes, comparing the education system before and after the Soviet period. Giving the
opportunity to visit one of Estonias VET schools. The study visit offered participants an
understanding of the structure of the system and how it closely intertwines with everyday life,
effectively strengthening lifelong learning. As the communication and advisory partner,
EARLALL remains committed to continuing exploring regional education and how to
leverage excellence, inclusion and digital innovation through effective interregional
cooperation and exchange of best practices. The next study visit will take place in
Montenegro, where partners will continue exploring strategies for inclusion, diversity, and
excellence, further strengthening interregional cooperation and the exchange of best practices.

After Kreitsmann’s and Aruväli’s interventions, representatives from Central Denmark
region, Murcia (Spain), Podkarpackie (Poland), and the Ministry of Education in Slovenia
presented best practices from their respective regions. Varazdin County and Montenegro
conducted hands-on workshops for the project partners and stakeholders, focusing on
emphatic learning and creativity.
The last day concluded with an in-depth explanation about the results behind Estonia’s PISA
outcomes, comparing the education system before and after the Soviet period. Giving the
opportunity to visit one of Estonias VET schools. The study visit offered participants an
understanding of the structure of the system and how it closely intertwines with everyday life,
effectively strengthening lifelong learning. As the communication and advisory partner,
EARLALL remains committed to continuing exploring regional education and how to
leverage excellence, inclusion and digital innovation through effective interregional
cooperation and exchange of best practices. The next study visit will take place in
Montenegro, where partners will continue exploring strategies for inclusion, diversity, and
excellence, further strengthening interregional cooperation and the exchange of best practices.

News

LeadEx Study Visit in Estonia