Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Career education in
Estonian schools
Imbi Henno
General Education Department
Curriculum Division
Chief expert
Compulsory education
•
Children who turn 7 years of age by 1 October of the
current year attend a school.
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The compulsory schooling obligation applies to children
until they acquire basic education or become 17 years
of age.
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Estonian Education
tree
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Estonian National curriculums
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The first Estonian national curriculum was approved in 1996
– integrated theme: career guidance.
The revised national curriculum came into effect in 2002 –
integrated theme: work career and its development.
Five years ago a new of school curriculum reform has been
initiated. The main idea was to develop a competency-based
science curriculum
In January 2011, the new versions of National Curriculum for
basic school and upper secondary school came into effect integrated theme: lifelong learning and career planning
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
National curriculums:
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provide greater freedom for schools in choosing their
direction of studies,
make possible to consider students' interests and abilities,
decrease the students' learning overload,
lead students to implement knowledge in practice,
emphasize the importance of integrating different subjects
and emphasize the importance of creating competencies
in the context of life-long learning.
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
The national curriculum for basic
schools and for upper secondary schools
set out subject areas:
1) language and literature
2) foreign languages
3) mathematics
4) natural subjects: biology, geography, physics, chemistry
and also nature studies
5) social subjects: human studies, history, social studies
6) art subjects: music, arts;
7) technology in the national curriculum for basic schools
8) physical education: physical education
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Basic Schools and Upper Secondary
Schools Act
§ 15. The national curriculum for basic schools and the
national curriculum for upper secondary schools include
career studies syllabi.
The syllabi of other optional subjects may be set out in the
national curriculum for basic schools and in the national
curriculum for upper secondary schools.
§ 22. Stationary and non-stationary schooling
(3) Lessons also include the time of provision of various
services supporting the development of students, for
instance, career counselling.
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
The national curriculums sets the
syllabuses for optional subjects:
careers education syllabus
 religion studies syllabus
 informatics syllabus
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Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Cross-curricular topics
Cross-curricular topics are a means of integrating general
and subject field competences, subjects and subject
fields and are taken into account in developing the school
environment.
Cross-curricular topics span numerous subjects, and fields
that are priorities for society, and enable creation of an
idea of the development of society as a whole, supporting
the pupil’s capacity to apply his or her knowledge in
different situations.
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Study of cross-curricular topics is realized
above all through:
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The structure of the learning environment
Subject study – integrated themes, examples and methods
shall be introduced into teaching of subjects; cross-subject,
multiple-class and school projects are carried out jointly.
Selection of optional subjects
Creative work that stems from cross-curricular topics or
which integrates subjects
Organizing if possible, in cooperation with the owner of the
school, regional institutions and enterprises, other institutions
and associations, extracurricular learning activities and taking
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
part in projects.
The cross-curricular topics treated in study
and educational activity are the following:
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lifelong learning and career planning;
environment and sustainable development;
civic initiative and entrepreneurship;
cultural identity;
information environment;
technology and innovation;
health and safety;
values and morals.
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
The cross-curricular topic –
Lifelong learning and career planning
Lifelong learning and career planning –
the aim is for the pupil to develop into a person who is
prepared to learn lifelong, perform different roles in a
changing educational, living and work environments and
shape his or her life through conscious decisions,
including making of reasonable career choices.
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
The national curriculum for basic schools
and for upper secondary schools set out
§ 16. Notification and counselling of pupils and parents
(3)The basic school shall organize notification of pupils and
parents regarding opportunities for further study and shall
ensure the availability of career services to pupils (career
studies, information or counselling).
§ 24. Fundamentals and structure of preparation of
school curriculum
The general part of the school curriculum shall set forth the
following:
9)organization of career services;
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Web-materials for teachers and students
(in Estonian)
Articles/collection
 http://www.oppekava.ee/index.php/P%C3%B5hikooli_valik
aine_KARJ%C3%84%C3%84RI%C3%95PETUS
 http://www.ut.ee/curriculum/orb.aw/class=file/action=previe
w/id=976911/LT_kogumik_II_osa_loplik.pdf
Portal http://www.rajaleidja.ee/
Careers education in compulsary school:
 http://www.rajaleidja.ee/karjaariope-uldhariduskoolis/
Students`worksheets by subjects:
 http://www.rajaleidja.ee/labivteema_karjaar/
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Thank you!
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research