According to the Equal Treatment Act, all educational and research institutions and other entities and persons organising training must account for the need to promote the principle of equal treatment when determining the content of studies and organisation of studies.
Educational and research institutions must comply with all obligations imposed on employers and ensure equal treatment of persons belonging to minority groups in vocational guidance, acquisition of education, special and vocational training and retraining, as well as in other matters related to the organisation of studies.
The values considered important in national curricula derive from the ethical principles mentioned in the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the founding documents of the European Union. The values considered base values are universal values (honesty, caring, respect for life, justice, human dignity, respect for oneself and others) and social values (freedom, democracy, respect for native language and culture, patriotism, cultural diversity, tolerance, environmental sustainability, justice, solidarity, responsibility and gender equality).
The goal is for the content of the subjects taught to help open up the nature and meaning of human rights, increase understanding of different cultures and develop tolerance. From an early age, children should also learn to make friends with pupils from different ethnic or religious minority groups and with children with disabilities. Accessible learning spaces and, where necessary, individual support must be established for disabled children.
Equal treatment cannot be ensured by treating all students the same, but by creating an environment that recognises democratic values and the right of a person to be different.
Educational and research institutions can also contribute to the promotion of equal treatment through research by studying and identifying the problems and needs of disadvantaged minority groups and by disseminating the results of their research to the wider public.
If you feel that you’ve been treated unequally, please contact the Equality Commissioner by e-mail at avaldus@volinik.ee or telephone +372 626 9059. The anonymity of the person is guaranteed when contacting the Commissioner.
