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Articles by Marii Kangur
Experts look to math teaching changes to ease Estonia's engineer shortage
Interest in engineering has grown sharply, but according to OSKA, the Estonian Qualifications Authority's labor market forecasting system, the sector will still be short more than 800 young engineers over the next decade as 40 percent retire. There are no quick solutions, but efforts are being made to alleviate the shortage by changing how mathematics is taught.
Plans for a solar panel recycling plant in Tartu
Most solar panels currently in use in Estonia will not need to be recycled for decades, but questions are already being raised about how to recover valuable metals from the panels in addition to glass. Producer responsibility also remains a major concern. For more than a decade, solar power has been the fastest-growing renewable energy sector. According to Estonia's Register of Products of Concern, 60,000 tons of solar panels were placed on the Estonian market between 2018 and 2025.
Ettevõte tahab hakata Tartus päikesepaneele taaskäitlema
Enamiku Eestis olevate päikesepaneelide taaskäitluseni on veel aastakümneid aega, kuid siiski on juba laual küsimus, kuidas saada lisaks klaasile paneelidest kätte ka väärtuslikud metallid. Suur küsimus ripub ka tootjavastutuse kohal. Üle kümne aasta on päikeseenergeetika olnud kõige kiiremini kasvav taastuvenergeetika valdkond. Probleemtooteregistri andmetel on Eestis aastatel 2018–2025 turule lastud 60 000 tonni päikesepaneele.
Unemployment Insurance Fund: Prejudice standing in the way of hiring the elderly
According to Statistics Estonia, there were more than 8,300 job vacancies in Estonia in the second quarter of this year. The largest number of vacancies were in education, public administration and retail. Ain Käpp, head of the labor market working group at the Estonian Employers' Confederation, said that as a small country, Estonia cannot afford to have people who are able to work remain outside the labor market.
Unemployment Insurance Fund: Prejudice standing in the way of hiring the elderly
According to Statistics Estonia, there were more than 8,300 job vacancies in Estonia in the second quarter of this year. The largest number of vacancies were in education, public administration and retail. Ain Käpp, head of the labor market working group at the Estonian Employers' Confederation, said that as a small country, Estonia cannot afford to have people who are able to work remain outside the labor market.
Chaplain hotline returns as demand for emotional support remains high
Social Insurance Board (SKA) figures reveal a continuing significant need for online and phone-based support, with victim support lines fielding nearly 1,000 contacts a month in the first half of 2026. People most often seek help with loneliness, anxiety and relationship or family problems. Starting Friday, they can also call 126 to speak with a chaplain.
Vajadus telefoni ja veebi teel emotsionaalset tuge saada püsib suur
Kõige sagedamini pöördutakse tugiliinide nõustajate poole üksilduse, ärevuse ning paari- ja peresuhete probleemidega seotult. Muredega saab alates reedest telefoninumbril 126 tuge ka hingehoidjatelt. Esmakordselt loodi hingehoiuliin koroonapandeemia ajal 2020. aasta juunis kriisiaegse meetmena. Tegevust koordineeris mittetulundusühing Tartu Teoloogia Akadeemia. MTÜ juhataja Siimon Haamer ütles, et helistajate hulk hingehoiuliini esimestel kuudel üllatas kõiki osapooli. "Selle 2020.
Estonia's elderly more likely to use antidepressants than therapy for depression
Professional mental health care largely comes down to prescribing medication, particularly for older people, according to a survey commissioned by the Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute and conducted by Norstat. Experts say this may be because medication is cheaper and more readily available. As part of the "Depression-Free Tallinn" project, researchers surveyed 1,000 adults in Tallinn's Lasnamäe, Õismäe and Mustamäe districts about their attitudes and experiences.
Estonia's solar boom over
In late August, Lääneranna Municipal Council ended the detailed planning process for the Alaküla Lodu solar power plant after three auctions for building rights on the municipal property failed to attract any bidders. Deputy Mayor Henrik Raave said the lack of interest reflects a broader decline in demand for new solar parks, with developers now showing greater interest in data centers, battery storage facilities and wind energy.
Apartment associations seek greater power over rentals
Minister of Economic Affairs Erkki Keldo said the associations' concerns are understandable, but any restrictions must be approached cautiously because private property is inviolable. The union proposed this week that apartment associations be given the right, through a general meeting of owners, to prohibit renting out apartments. The decision would require more than half of the votes and more than half of the co‑ownership shares — a qualified majority.
Tartu mulls keeping bike-sharing program
In April, it emerged that Tartu had canceled a procurement for new bikes for the city's bike-sharing program and was considering ending the program in its current form. Deputy Mayor Priit Humal has now confirmed that the bike-sharing program will continue, although the details remain unclear. Tartu's bike-sharing fleet currently has nearly 600 bikes, two-thirds of which are electric. There are more than 100 bike stations across the city and in nearby communities.
Estonia's warming bodies of water catering to fish parasites
An expedition by Estonian University of Life Sciences researchers to Greenland and the Faroe Islands found that the parasite that causes a dangerous and currently incurable kidney disease in salmonids has spread much farther north than previously known. However, Anti Vasemägi, professor of fish genetics and genomics at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, said it is not known when the parasite, Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, reached the area.
Golf center and private residences planned near Tartu
Ilmatsalu is a small borough about 11 kilometers west of downtown Tartu. The 200-hectare planning area covers land on both sides of the Ilmatsalu River, including the site of the former fish farming ponds. According to Indrek Ranniku, head of comprehensive planning at Tartu's Spatial Planning Department, the project's environmental impacts have also been thoroughly assessed.
Teachers, NGO call for more emphasis on global education in school curricula
Global education, knowledge of how global issues affect the daily lives of individuals, communities and society, and how everyone can influence the world, has been promoted in Estonia for 15 years. Schools can choose elective courses, take part in themed weeks and projects, and such content has been integrated into various subjects, but according to those involved, this has been done in a fragmented way.
Mondo ja ajalooõpetajad tahavad maailmaharidusele õppekavades suuremat kaalu
Maailmaharidust ehk teadmisi sellest, kuidas globaalprobleemid mõjutavad üksikisiku, kogukonna ja ühiskonna igapäevaelu ja kuidas igaüks saab mõjutada maailma, on Eestis edendatud 15 aastat. Koolides on võimalik valida valikkursusi, osaleda teemanädalatel ja projektides ning sellist sisu on lõimitud erinevatesse õppeainetesse, kuid asjaosaliste hinnangul killustatult.
Pärnu and local governments support tourist tax, but Tallinn against
While tourists in Riga have so far had to pay €1 for every night spent in the city, this will rise to €2 next year. In Vilnius, Palanga and Kaunas, a charge of €2 per night has already been in place for some time. Discussions on a tourist tax are also under way in Finland. The issue has been discussed for several years in Estonia, but no decision has been made.
Estonia reports slower rate of Ukrainians seeking shelter
The majority of those applying for international protection — over 80 percent — are Ukrainian citizens. Six applicants are citizens of Russia and five are from Sudan. Of the applicants, 211 have been granted subsidiary protection and 22 have received refugee status. Steve Luks, head of the migration proceedings unit of the North Prefecture of the Police and Border Guard Board, says that temporary protection and international protection are two different things and the scale is also different.
Estonia's LGBT+ action plan to zero in on equal opportunity
According to Taavi Talupuu, equal opportunities adviser at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (MKM), the first priority is to collect data and then use it to determine the next steps. Last year, for example, questions concerning the LGBT+ community were added to Estonia's social survey. Talupuu said these questions make it possible to assess how LGBT+ people are doing, including issues related to deprivation as well as housing and income.
Estonia police expand 'cool-down stops' as alternative to speeding fines
If last year the police directed 172 speeding drivers to cool down, this year there have already been nearly as many — 160. A cool‑down stop means that if a driver exceeds the speed limit by up to 20 km/h, an officer may offer them the option of spending 45 minutes calming down instead of receiving a fine. Taavi Kirss, head of traffic supervision at the Police and Border Guard Board, said that people have generally responded well to the measure. "Overall, quite positively, whenever possible.
Study finds gaps in Estonia's postpartum support system
The study by think tank Praxis drew on responses from more than 800 parents and found that while prenatal care and childbirth services are generally well organized, support often becomes fragmented once families leave the hospital. "There's a gap where the healthcare system says it's done its job and families are told to contact their family doctor themselves," said Annika Roosa-Saarma, head of parenting support at the Social Insurance Board's (SKA) Children's Welfare Department.
100 railway crossings to be renovated this year
Estonian Railways has about 150 crossings in total. The 100 crossings now being put out to public procurement for renovation are located along western, eastern, and southern routes. "In other words, toward Turba, Paldiski, and Kloogarand, as well as the entire eastern line to Narva, and all southern directions, including Tartu and the Tartu–Valga, Valga–Koidula, and Tartu–Koidula lines.
Ministries do not support limiting number of light vehicles for rent
In the first half of March, the Center Party faction in the Riigikogu initiated a draft amendment to the Traffic Act. Its main goal is to improve traffic safety by granting local governments the right to limit the number of rental vehicles and requiring companies to more strictly verify users' age and driving eligibility. It also proposes introducing the option to rent helmets.
Estonia wants to get more seniors involved in volunteer work
More Estonians over 60 are volunteering, according to the European Social Survey (ESS), but their involvement still trails younger generations. The Ministry of Social Affairs sees increased community engagement as a way to improve seniors' social connections and mental well-being. University of Tartu (TÜ) social welfare junior lecturer Merle Linno said volunteering gives seniors autonomy and a sense of competence often missing in paid work.
Diskusijos Estijoje: vaikų darželis galėtų dirbti net iki 21 val. ar visą parą?
Marii Kangur, ERR, A European Perspective 2026.03.08 14:35 00:00 | 00:00 Buvusi Estijos prezidentė Kersti Kaljulaid mano, kad lankstesnė vaikų priežiūros sistema gali sumažinti kai kurių šeimų nuogąstavimus ir paskatinti jas susilaukti vaikų. Diskusijose apie Estijos šeimos politiką ir gimstamumą dažnai daroma išvada, kad vaikų priežiūros sistemai reikia daugiau lankstumo, kad mažų vaikų tėvai galėtų tinkamai dalyvauti darbo rinkoje. K. Kaljulaid palaiko šią idėją.
Universities can start 1 year Estonian-language master's degrees
A new amendment to the Higher Education Act will give universities the right to create paid one-year master's programs in Estonian. Universities already have paid programs, but until now, these have required separate agreements with the state. Kristi Raudmäe, head of higher education at the Ministry of Education and Research, said the shorter programs are intended for a specific target group who already have a prior master's degree or long-term work experience.
Ülikoolid saavad õiguse luua tasulised üheaastased eestikeelsed magistriõppekavad
Valitsusele saadetud kõrgharidusseaduse muutmise eelnõu loob ülikoolidele õiguse luua tasulisi eestikeelseid üheaastaseid magistriõppekavasid. Tasulisi kavasid on ülikoolidel juba ka olemas, kuid seni on need nõudnud eraldi kokkuleppeid riigiga. Ülikoolide hinnangul ei ole põhjust karta, et lühemad kavad hakkaksid asendama traditsioonilisi kaheaastaseid tasuta magistrikavasid.
More flexible childcare system could boost birth rate, says former president
In discussions about Estonia's family policy and birth rate, it is often concluded that the childcare system needs greater flexibility so parents of young children have equal opportunities to participate in the workplace. Kaljulaid is an advocate for this idea. "Kindergartens could have extended-day groups. In most kindergartens, it is assumed that children will be picked up by 5 p.m. But I think a group where parents could pick up their older children at 8 p.m., even 9 p.m., would be normal.
Estonia will not require basic Estonian language proficiency from couriers
Since the beginning of the year, foreign workers in Lithuania's service sector have been required to speak Lithuanian at the A1 or beginner level. The first month of implementation shows that language skills remain limited and complaints are on the rise. According to Ilmar Tomusk, director general of the Estonian Language Board, this level may be quite sufficient for food couriers.
Water prices rise by 20% in Tartu and surrounding municipalities
Starting in February, the water price including VAT will rise to over €1.30 per cubic meter, and the price for wastewater removal and treatment will range from €1.80 to €3.50 per cubic meter, depending on the pollution group. For a household, this means a monthly price increase of about €3.50. Currently, residents of Tartu pay just over €1 per cubic meter of water, including VAT, and €1.50 per cubic meter of wastewater. The Competition Authority approved the new prices in mid-December.
Estonia's homeless shelters have vacancies even in recent cold snap
The Social Welfare Act mandates all 79 local authorities to have shelter services in place for those in need. Heads of shelters in Tartu, Pärnu and Narva, as well as in Tallinn, say there are still spaces available even with the recent cold turn. In Tartu, the main shelter's 50 places are more than half-occupied. Around 30 spots are taken up. This is not a major surge compared with the situation during milder weather. "With the arrival of cold weather, we may have one or two additional people.
Varjupaikades on veel vabu kohti
Tallinnas on ajutine peavari tagatud kahe teenusega – piiratud aegadel teenust osutav öömaja ja ööpäevaringset teenust pakkuv varjupaik. Üheksast üheksani on võimalik ööbida kahel aadressil, seal on kokku ligi 80 kohta ja keskmiselt on ühel ööl täidetud 46 kohta. Ööpäevaringselt avatud varjupaigas on 20 kohta ja keskmiselt on neist täidetud 13. Tallinna Sotsiaaltöö Keskuse juhataja Kille Altermani sõnul ei ole veel teenusekasutajate arvu suurt kasvu märgata, kuid jaanuariga võib see muutuda.
Estonia wants broader powers for its equality commissioner
The draft amendment to the Equal Treatment Act has drawn extensive feedback during its consultation round. While stakeholders generally welcome the initiative — prompted by the need to implement a European directive — many also see significant concerns. Equality Commissioner Christian Veske noted that while the responsibilities are expanding, no funding has been allocated to support them.
Riik soovib võrdõigusvoliniku tööpõldu laiendada
Võrdse kohtlemise seaduse muutmise eelnõu on kooskõlastusringil saanud palju tagasisidet. Kuigi erinevate osapoolte hinnangul on hea, et Euroopa direktiivi kohaldamisega seoses on töö käsile võetud, siis nähakse ka palju murekohti. Võrdõigusvolinik Christian Veske tõi näiteks välja selle, et ülesandeid tuleb juurde, aga rahalist katet sellele ei ole. "Uute ülesannete lisandumisel peab tulema ka finantseerimine, et muidu ei ole neid ülesandeid võimalik täita.
Estonia wants to give nurses broader powers to curb doctors' work load
The Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Research have signed a third national higher education healthcare agreement, valid through 2030, together with universities and professional associations. The agreement aims to increase enrollment in health-related degree programs. According to the Estonian Nurses Union, the development is certainly positive, but in addition to numbers, broader questions of system sustainability also need to be considered.
Tartu putting bike lane projects on hold to use €100,000 modeling software
To that end, the city will implement modeling software used in several Nordic cities, following a coalition agreement entry for implementation guidelines on a comprehensive plan to ensure smooth traffic flow and the safety of all road users. This also states that, where necessary, the planned locations of cycle paths will be adjusted.
New business park planned in heart of Tartu's Annelinn
Located just off the intersection of Sõpruse puiestee and Anne tänav, OÜ Emajõe Ärilinnak wants to develop a two-hectare site at Anne 46 and Anne 48 into a business park focused not on retail, but service providers. The Tartu city government is set to place the detailed plan on public display in the coming weeks. Ingvar Allekand, a member of the developer's management board, said the exact mix of services is still taking shape.
Education workers not satisfied with draft teachers' career model
The Ministry of Education has developed a four-stage career model, with a designated minimum salary coefficient for each stage which will be introduced in 2026. The minimum salary coefficient for a qualified new or junior teacher will be 1.0, which in current terms would correspond to a monthly gross salary of €1,820. The minimum salary coefficients for senior and master teachers, meanwhile, will be 1.1 and 1.3, respectively.
Experts: A good parent does not have to sacrifice joy in life to children
Estonia is facing a historically low birth rate, but that doesn't mean people have given up on starting families. Both statistics and personal stories show the opposite: Estonians do want children, but significant obstacles are pushing parenthood further into the future. "People will always want to have children.
Estonia urges schools to use less-evaluative behavior assessments
At the start of the academic year, an amendment to the national curriculum for basic schools came into effect, allowing schools to move away from twice-yearly evaluations of students' behavior and diligence. Instead, these aspects can now be discussed in a more forward-looking manner during development conversations. However, schools remain free to stick with the old system if they prefer.
Estonia looking to delegate some child protection functions to other specialists
A draft amendment to Estonia's Child Protection Act notes that local child protection services are responsible for a wide range of tasks and face heavy workloads, which has led to high staff turnover and a risk of burnout. The proposed changes aim to free up child protection workers' time so they can focus on children with complex needs who require long-term support, explained Anne Haller, an adviser in the Ministry of Social Affairs' children and families department.
Estonian kids missing school due to bullying, smart device addiction and anxiety
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of children who are either unwilling or unable to attend school, said Karmen Maikalu, head of the Estonian School Psychologists' Association. Some students skip only the last classes of the day or miss a few days at a time, but there is also a significant number who experience persistent school refusal. According to Maikalu, the reasons behind this vary widely.
Several education organizations oppose unqualified teachers' pay model
Several education organizations have issued a public appeal to the Riigikogu, urging lawmakers not to support proposed legislation that would more than halve the minimum salary for teachers without required qualifications — from the current €1,820 to €886. Around a quarter of teachers in Estonian schools lack formal qualifications. These individuals are often university students working during their studies or professionals undergoing a career change.
Experts concerned over decision to allow pets in kindergartens
Until the end of August this year, the regulation on health protection requirements for preschool institutions prohibited the presence of pets in group rooms. However, Education and Research Minister Kristina Kallas (Eesti 200) announced at a government press conference on Thursday that this provision has now been removed from the current regulation. "One very sweet change is that pets are now allowed in kindergartens and daycare centers.
Erika ja Tambet Pedak avasid Tartu Kunstimajas viltvaipade näituse
Viltvaipade näituse pealkiri ja juhtmotiiv sündis juba 30 aastat tagasi juhuslikult pealtkuuldud fraasist. "Viieaastane poiss ütles, kuuldes erinevaid signaale: "Ema, kuula, arstitädi sõidab tuletõrjemasinaga, sest keegi on midagi varastanud." Selle väikese lapse üldistus ja kokkupanek nendest sireenidest – mida me ka tänapäeval tegelikult ju päris hästi aru ei saa ja mis kõik on võimendunud – on tegelikult juba 30 aastat kummitanud. Nüüd on see näitus teoks saanud," avas kunstnik Erika Pedak.
Tartu plaanib välja arendada uue jõeäärse elamupiirkonna
Vastavalt Tartu linna üldplaneeringule piirneb planeeritav Uus-Tähtvere nimeline elamupiirkond ühelt poolt Emajõega ja teiselt poolt Kreutzwaldi tänava ning Vorbuse teega. Teistpidi ulatub see dendropargist tulevase Tiksoja silla koridorini. Hoonestuskavaga on uude Emajõe-äärsesse elamupiirkonda kavandatud üksik- ja kaksikelamud, ridaelamud ning väiksemad kortermajad. Kavandatud on ka lasteaed, toidupood ja liikuvuskeskus.
Dairy products could get 'best before' labels in Estonia to reduce food waste
A study conducted a few years ago found that the average household in Estonia generates about 150 kilograms of food waste each year — 60 kilograms of which could be avoided. According to experts, changing the expiration labeling on certain product groups could reduce food waste by as much as 10 percent.
Piimatooted võivad toiduraiskamise vähendamiseks saada "parim enne" märgistuse
Mõne aasta eest tehtud uuringu andmetel tekitab keskmine perekond Eestis umbes 150 kilo toidujäätmeid aastas. Sellest 60 kilo võiks olla välditav. Ekspertide hinnangul võiks kindlate tootegruppide kõlblikkusaja märgistuse muutmine aidata toiduraiskamist 10 protsenti vähendada. Kliimaministeeriumi ringmajanduse osakonna jäätmekorraluse ja digitaliseerimise valdkonna juht Kristel Kibin selgitab, et välditavad toidujäätmed on need, mille puhul saab vältida nende tekkimist.
Poor apple harvest drives up the price of high-quality table apples
The islands have seen a particularly poor crop, though in Southeast Estonia the harvest has been better, and roughly average compared with other years. Not only have there been regional differences, but even some inexplicable differences in quality between different types of apples grown at the same location.
Increasing number of pensioners choosing to continue working
This week, it was reported that there are more than one million 70-year-olds in Finland, which is 20 percent of the population. Joonas Toivola from Statistics Finland explained that this age group now includes the post-World War II baby boom generation. In Estonia, there are 203,000 people aged 70 and over, approximately 15 percent of the population.
Broken chargers, old gadgets pile up as Estonia's electronics recycling lags
According to Piret Otsason, head of extended producer responsibility and hazardous waste at the Ministry of Climate, studies show that many small household electronics — cables and chargers, but also toasters, blowdryers and power banks — often sit unused at home before eventually being thrown into regular trash. Otsason said that in recent years, electronic waste has made up just 0.9 percent of mixed municipal waste, which amounts to roughly 3,000–6,800 metric tons.
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