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.
Comments