Narva parents raise concerns over student dormitory at Paju School

Summer break has ended in Estonia and schools have reopened, but in Narva the start of the new school year is overshadowed by concerns about one building. At Rakvere Street 18 stands the student dormitory of Narva's Paju School, which serves children with special educational needs and, on school days, also houses mostly children from at-risk families.

The building, a former kindergarten, has served for years as a boarding facility, with part of its rooms converted into small classrooms. It currently teaches 13 children, while 15 stay overnight. The mother of a first-grader said that when she visited to meet the homeroom teacher, she noticed the rooms were cold and dark, the small dining area had old furniture unsuitable for meals, and the gym was in poor condition with old equipment and uneven floors. The second floor, she said, looked noticeably better, with replaced window frames and doors elsewhere in the building.

Officials respond

A senior specialist at Narva's Education Department said the learning environment meets requirements. A Health Board inspection in September 2022 found some shortcomings, which were fixed by February 2023, and a follow-up inspection found no further issues. She added that school administration also reviews the building's readiness before each school year.

The school's new director, who took office this summer, said children only use the gym under supervision of teachers and additional staff, so they are never left there alone. He confirmed plans exist to improve conditions, saying funding would be sought either from the budget or through other means.

Looking further ahead, Narva is already preparing to design a new school in the Soldina district, where dormitory residents are expected to move within two years. The new building is planned to include kitchens, bedrooms and learning spaces designed to meet children's needs.