Estonian schools and cultural institutions adjust to new field-trip funding rules

Last spring, a parent's complaint about a school charging fees for mandatory educational events sparked a wider debate in Estonia's education sector. To reach common ground between schools, the state and parents, the Ministry of Education and Research issued guidance stating that all mandatory educational events must be free of charge.

Following the guidance, attendance at cultural institutions dropped sharply. The situation is now stabilizing thanks to additional funding. In 2026, the Ministry of Culture is providing a subsidy of 11 euros per child for cultural trips for basic school students, and has separately allocated half a million euros in emergency support so cultural institutions can offer free visits to students in grades 1-12.

Experience from schools and cities

Merike Kaste, principal of the Kristjan Jaak Peterson Gymnasium in Tartu, said the spring debate overall did not affect the city's school trips, since Tartu supports all excursions and projects carried out as part of the curriculum — about 12 euros per student at her school — and the city also runs joint procurement for museum visits, with each school receiving its share.

Kaari Simer, head of the education center at the Estonian National Museum, said visitor numbers have barely changed, as schools were able to register for the museum's free programs thanks to subsidies. The museum received a 14,000-euro subsidy from the Ministry of Culture, allowing it to offer free visits to more than two thousand students. She noted uncertainty about what will happen once the subsidies run out.

Evald Sepp, principal of Tartu's Veeriku School, said fewer mandatory excursions are being held compared to last year. The school is waiting to see whether Cultural Endowment funds will cover costs; if there is a shortfall, it will no longer be possible to collect extra money from parents for mandatory study trips.

Hele Liiv-Tellmann, the Education Ministry's chief curriculum expert, said the ministry's position remains unchanged: if a trip is mandatory, the school must fund it. Voluntary events involving a parental contribution must be planned and communicated to parents in advance.