The situation where the Government of the Republic has not been able to solve the issues related to one Metsküla Primary School within a year shows the incompetence of both the Prime Minister – he is responsible for the entire machinery – and other ministers. If the already given payment is too much for the government, it should not be surprising that the economy is allowed to flow freely. A seven-quarter recession is looked at with a dull face.
The topic of whether the president has the right to interfere in the politics of the day and how free he can feel in his actions and statements has been discussed for years. Mainly, the question is raised when the head of state deviates from the given course, pointing fingers at the growing concerns. The word is free, the previous president Kersti Kaljulaid liked to emphasize. Is this principle not transferred to today’s most important man in the country?
A school with one student in Finland
The local community, or Lääneranna municipality, decides on the activities of the Metsküla school, and on the surface it seems strange that president Alar Karis has put his hand on the issue so forcefully. In fact, he is under duress and keeps his word. It is worth recalling the speech of Alar Karis two years ago after taking the oath of office in the Riigikogu, where he stressed that as president he wants to be above all a balancer and, if necessary, a conciliator. Alar Karis, who worked as the rector of the Estonian University of Life Sciences and the University of Tartu, also emphasized smart people and the ability to learn.
Therefore, it is completely understandable that the president has taken the initiative in a situation where Kallased, Prime Minister Kaja and Minister of Education Kristina are fighting each other, and Finance Minister Võrklaev cannot handle the role of mediator. It is simply not possible to watch the children suffer as a result of the political scam. It is worth reminding that just five months ago, the educational institution was awarded the title School of the Year 2023.
The Finnish education system has long been among the best in the world, because our northern neighbors value every student. I will give one example. In the municipality of Sottunga, located in southwestern Finland between the mainland and Åland, the school was closed four years ago due to a lack of students. Now the school was opened again, because a student, Sven, who will soon be 7 years old, went to the first grade. This is an extreme example, but it shows how important the local society considers the opportunity to get an education close to home.
The children must win
We also discussed matters related to the Metsküla school at the cultural committee session held on Monday. Although in the eyes of the state, studies are no longer taking place there, the guests confirmed that the normal study rhythm is followed on a daily basis. Although much of what happens next depends on the ongoing court proceedings, children should be reassured that they will not be left to repeat the classroom course. It doesn’t matter which political party scores a political point on this issue, children must be in the role of winners! Our economy is suffering, but it is extremely embarrassing that such a fierce dispute has erupted over the issue of keeping a small school open.
The decision of the Lääneranta council to close the Metsküla school and thereby clash head-on with the local community cannot be approved, but when looking for the reasons, one must look at the big picture. Namely, the tax increases planned by the government and the additional tasks placed on the shoulders of local governments have had a crippling effect on the budgets of cities and municipalities. Only big cities can think about investments, smaller municipalities have a lot to do to cope with their daily responsibilities. Such notes of concern were also conveyed to us during the faction’s recent trip to Põlvamaa.
Finally, through the prism of humor, it can be stated that since the government does not allocate funds from the state purse to the president for foreign visits, he has no choice but to deal with domestic issues.
