The document outlines Estonia's education system from pre-school through higher education. It begins with pre-school education from ages 0-7, then compulsory basic school from ages 7-16. Students can then choose between upper secondary school, vocational school, or continuing vocational training. Higher education options include universities, colleges, and vocational schools. Degrees include bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. The education system is publicly funded and instruction is primarily in Estonian.

1. Estonian Education Tree

2. This is the tree that shows the possibilities for young girls and boys to life-long learning

3. The beginning Pre-school education (kindergartens) – up to the age of 7 compulsory education  forms 1 to 9 (aged 7 – 16)  basic school Pre-vocational training (forms 7 – 9) Those who don’t finish basic school can continue their studies at vocational schools (17+)

4. First choices After basic school: upper-secondary school – general secondary education upper-secondary school with pre-vocational training vocational school – vocational secondary education vocational school – profession without secondary education

5. Next choices After upper-secondary school: vocational school – vocational training or professional higher education institution of professional higher education, colleges – professional higher education university – academic higher education (Bachelor’s  Master’s  Doctoral)

6. Vocational training When you’ve dropped out of basic school and older than 17 area of specialisation without the next level of education 2 years When you have basic school education areas of specialisation without the next level of education 2 years areas of specialisation with secondary education 3 - 3,5 years, no need to pass state exams Possibility for extra year in order to study for state exams When you have general secondary education areas of specialisation  professional skills 1 - 2,5 years

7. Higher education When you have secondary education, you can Professional higher education (institution of higher education, college, vocational school) 3 - 4,5 years, practical training at least 30% of study period Diploma of professional higher education Bachelor’s level (university) 3 years Bachelor’s Degree Doctor, dentist, pharmacist, vet, architect and engineering training and primary school teacher (university) 5 - 6 years Master’s Degree After Bachelor’s level comes Master’s Level 2 years After Master’s level comes Doctorate level 3 - 4 years

8. General secondary education National Curriculum (since 2002) 175 school days (September 1 to ~ June 5) 4 holidays autumn (week) Christmas (2 weeks) spring (week) summer (~11 weeks)

9. Some facts 1. Education population and language of instruction 2. Administrative control and extent of public-sector funded education 3. Pre-primary education 4. Compulsory education (i) Phases (ii) Admissions criteria (iii) Length of school day/week/year (iv) Class size/student grouping (v) Curriculum control and content (vi) Assessment, progression and qualifications 5. Post-compulsory education/upper secondary and post-secondary level (i) Types of education (ii) Admissions criteria (iii) Curriculum control and content (iv) Assessment, progression and qualifications 7. Special needs 8. Teachers 9. Current reforms and priorities (a) Main debates, recent changes