Estonian ministry: teens are ultimately responsible for their own behavior

Põltsamaa Basic School in Estonia recently hired a private security company and issued panic buttons to staff after struggling to manage the behavior of several older students. Estonia's Education Ministry has commented on the case, stressing that teenagers are ultimately responsible for their own actions.

What is happening at the school

Principal Henry Kallaste told the public broadcaster ERR that the problems come from two or three sixth- and seventh-grade students. They do not want to study and come to school mainly to cause trouble. According to the principal, the boys disrupt lessons, stop teachers from teaching and kick over trash cans, while other children are afraid.

Under the new arrangement, security staff can escort disruptive students home. The school can also suspend students from classes for up to 10 days, the maximum allowed in a school year. Kallaste said the parents of one student had admitted they could not manage their son.

The ministry's explanation

Jürgen Rakaselg, head of the Education Ministry's Inclusive Education Department, said the law is clear: first of all, every person is responsible for their own behavior. A young age, a possible mental health condition or a developmental difference does not justify inappropriate behavior, though it may sometimes help explain it.

Schools must ensure the physical and psychological safety of all students, while parents are responsible for their children's behavior and any damage caused. Responsibility also lies with the local government, since the school receives its resources for handling behavior problems from its owner.

Rakaselg said security services do not address the causes of behavior and offer only a temporary solution. Suspension focuses mainly on consequences, and measures targeting root causes are more effective. The ministry cannot say whether such incidents have become more common, as it does not monitor daily life in schools in enough detail.

The psychologist's view

School psychologist Karmen Maikalu said similar problems are being reported across Estonia. In her view, young people need love and boundaries, and in such cases both are often missing. Support for families should begin as early as preschool, because by age 13 it is often too late to intervene effectively. She said help requires cooperation among schools, families, police and child protection services.