Estonian schools to receive state subsidy for teaching dialects

Estonia's Ministry of Education and Research believes that to prevent local dialects from dying out, schools need to teach them more actively. Municipalities will soon be able to apply for state support that includes, among other things, a salary bonus for teachers of dialects.

According to the ETV news programme "Aktuaalne Kaamera," children hear dialects at home less and less often, making it increasingly the responsibility of schools to introduce them to the culture of their home region.

Kätlin Kõverik, an adviser in the ministry's language policy department, explained that the new support measure will give teachers a resource for preparing dialect lessons. More broadly, the goal is to increase the amount of dialect instruction across the education system, not only in schools but also in kindergartens. She noted there are already good examples of dialect classes being taught in kindergartens and schools by dedicated teachers, and the ministry hopes this measure will help launch a larger nationwide system for encouraging dialect teaching.

Types of support

Municipalities can apply for a salary bonus of up to 20% for a full-time teacher who teaches a dialect, and can also request a subsidy.

In Võrumaa, officials hope the measure will encourage schools to teach the Võro language more than before. Ivari Padar, director of the Võro Institute, said there are traditional schools where Võro teaching is already strongly encouraged, but new schools are also taking it up, which he called a very positive impetus for further teaching of the language and culture.

Pille Liblik, director of schools in Setomaa, said her municipality would be able to apply for both types of support, since it has teachers who teach the local language and also plans field trips for students to learn about the local language and culture.

Applications for the support will open next week.