Russian schools in Estonia to begin switch to Estonian language in 2007

TALLINN (Interfax) - Estonia's Russian-language schools will start  switching to instruction in Estonian language from September 1, 2007,  Science  and  Education  Minister  Mailis  Reps  told  a  news conference.
     "60%  of  all  subjects  will  be taught in the Estonian language," the minister said.
     Reps told the Cabinet earlier on Thursday that the list of subjects to switch to the Estonian language had been drawn up.    
     "First   come   the   subjects   that   are   intended  to  broaden schoolchildren's  language skills : the Estonian language and literature, social sciences, the history of arts, geography and history," she said.
     "Physics,  chemistry  and  other  exact  sciences will be taught in Russian  to  ensure  that  the  quality  of  teaching remains high," the minister said.
     Reps  also  aid  that the switch will be gradual - one subject each year. But  the  reform  could  proceed  faster depending on the schools' readiness  and  the  availability  of  additional  funding, the minister added.