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Education

Estonian language courses

Refugees can participate in language learning and adaptation programmes for free. Estonian language courses are available through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (Töötukassa), if you have been granted temporary protection and register as unemployed.

Online language learning platform Lingvist offers free full access to war refugees for a year. You can register here

If you wish, you can also learn the language independently, more information on the Integration Foundation's website here.

Estonian Refugee Council pays a one-time school allowance to all school-age children who have received international protection or temporary protection for the first time in Estonia. The 50€ grant is for the purchase of school-related items at the discretion of the child. https://www.pagulasabi.ee/en/school-support.


TALLINN Distance learning school for Ukrainian refugees: https://www.shkolanadii.com.ua/.

Distantsõpe Ukrainlastele Tallinnas - Lootuse Kool

 

 

School allowance

Estonian Refugee Council pays a one-time school allowance to all school-age children who have received international protection or temporary protection for the first time in Estonia. The 50€ grant is for the purchase of school-related items at the discretion of the child. https://www.pagulasabi.ee/en/school-support

Primary education

Applying for a kindergarten place begins with submitting a written application to the local government. An application for a kindergarten place can be submitted digitally signed to the e-mail address of the local government. If there is no possibility of a digital signature, the application signed on paper can be sent directly to the local government.

To apply for a kindergarten place, you must have temporary protection and a personal identification code. If the child does not have documents, the child will be admitted on the basis of the statements of the person accompanying the child in the case of a parent or unaccompanied minor, and the documents will be prepared as soon as possible.

More information.

Basic education

When the child arrives in Estonia, the parent can make a written application to the local authority. The local authority will find a school place for the child as soon as possible. The parent will be contacted and together they will find the most suitable study option for the child and draw up a study plan.

On September 1, 2022, the Freedom School for Ukrainian refugees will start work at 13 Endla St, TallinnTallinn. Admission starts on June 1, 2022. More information about admission.

  • School has clases 7-12 for students aged 13-19.
  • The school's language of instruction is Estonian, but up to 40% of the school can be studied in the student's mother tongue according to the Estonian national curriculum. The school offers students support in acquiring the Estonian language using the language immersion method.
  • You can learn Ukrainian language and culture at school.
More information.

Secondary education

After the completion of basic education, it is possible to choose to study at a secondary school or at a vocational secondary school. Secondary education in Estonia is not compulsory. Upper secondary education is primarily intended as preparation for entering higher education, while vocational upper secondary education prepares graduates for the labour market.

The network of vocational schools and gymnasiums covers all regions of Estonia. Flexible curricula are also ensured through the support of gymnasiums for adults, where non-stationary learning is possible. 

To continue with suitable professional training, we recommend that you take the first step to contact the Unemployment Insurance Fund's career counsellor (information line 15501 / +372 696 6513; Skype: tootukassa; e-mail info@tootukassa.ee) to get an overview of which vocational schools you can continue studies that you started in Ukraine.

More information.

 

Higher education

If secondary education was acquired abroad, the assessment of access to higher education (also for foreigners who cannot provide full or partial proof of education) is provided by the Estonian ENIC /NARIC Centre.

Foreign language studies are not free. For information on the possibility of studying in Russian, please contact the higher education institution.

Estonian Academy of Arts offers refugees free study opportunities: international@artun.ee, https://www.artun.ee/eka-offers-study-spots-for-ukrainian-art-students/  

KOOD / Jõhvi IT School (https://kood.tech/): a technology school based on self-study in Ida-Virumaa invites refugees to join the school, offers accommodation and a scholarship for the entire school period. See also: https://kood.tech/2022/03/22/support-ukraine/.

More information

Supporting materials:

 

 

Libraries 

At the Tallinn Central Library (Estonia pst 8), refugees have the opportunity to issue a free reader's card, as well as the opportunity to use a computer, print, scan and make copies of documents, and borrow, in addition to books, board games, instruments and sports equipment. In the library environment Overdrive Ukrainians can find e-books in ukrainian.

Most libraries across Estonia offer refugees the opportunity to issue a free reader's card, use a computer, print, scan, use the Internet and much more. You can find out more about the possibilities by going to the library on site or by visiting the libraries' website.

Free applications for Ukrainian refugees.

Useful Information
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