In the last year of basic school, it is advisable to start considering opportunities for further education in due time. If your child will be graduating from basic school under the national curriculum, one option for them to continue their education is secondary school, or gymnasium.

As a parent, it is important for you to know that, just like in basic education, in secondary education, too, schools are required to adapt the teaching to suit students with special educational needs. This may mean modifications or accommodations in the duration, content, process, environment, or outcomes of the studies. Where this entails significant changes to the weekly workload or the intensity of the studies, an individual curriculum (IC) will be prepared for the student. If the IC provides for a reduction of learning outcomes compared to the national curriculum or for exemption from a compulsory subject, the corresponding recommendation will need to be received from the regional Rajaleidja counselling team.

ICs are also prepared students studying at home or in hospital for health reasons, and the student’s workload may be reduced by up to eight courses for each school year spent studying at home or in hospital. As in the case of basic schools, secondary schools can also form groups and classes for students with special needs, as well as apply one-to-one teaching on the recommendation of the counselling committee and with parental consent. One option for acquiring secondary education is attending an adult gymnasium, where the organisation of studies is somewhat more flexible and the school staff are better adapted to the different needs of students. In practice, making adjustments to teaching does not always work smoothly, despite the student’s desire and willingness to complete general secondary education. This is partly due to the overall narrow focus of secondary education on the results of state examinations. In reality, however, secondary education is not just a pathway to university, but also various vocational education programmes. Research also shows that secondary education provides young people with better opportunities in the labour market and may prove valuable if they decide to enter higher education at a later age. In any case, it should be borne in mind that even with adjustments the programme is more intensive in secondary school and requires the student to learn and contribute more independently.

For advice and help, both parents and schools can turn to Rajaleidja centres. The Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund also offers career counselling to schoolchildren.