Visit to Läänemaa Ühisgümnaasium

After the session I facilitated on Social Change in the Pre-Intermediate English class on November 6th, (during which the learners and I discussed the women's rights movements and the education systems in the United States and in Estonia) one of the learners approached me after class. She reminded me that her name is Viire (pictured on the left) and then continued on to tell me that she is the Headmistress of Mathematics at a local school in Haapsalu and would I like to come visit her and her school this week? I immediately agreed and we arranged that I would meet her at her school (Läänemaa Ühisgümnaasium) on Thursday, November 9th before I facilitated my final session of the week.

This was a really incredibly experience not only because Viire had worked up the courage to approach me and speak to me in English, but also because she cared enough about the Estonian education system to offer to tour me around her school and give me a more in-depth look at how one school at least was run. I was very touched by this offer and excited to visit the school in Haapsalu.

I did some research on the school (most of the research came from the school website and from an essay describing the history of the school. Some of the history and information was also given directly by Viire), to find that it has its origins in Haapsalu in the early 1800s (picture on the right is the school in 1920). The building has been the site all different types of schools including an elementary school, an adult education school and now a gumnaasium where students from the ages of 16-19 study. The school has had many additions and repairs done to it but remains in the same location as the original building with some of the same features. Now, the school prepares young men and women from Estonia to pursue higher education degrees through rigorous academic studies with the addition of many social activities. Most students live far away from Haapsalu and so board at a different location during the week and return to their towns and families on the weekends.

Viire showed me around the school to the different science labs, her math classroom, the auditorium and the impressive tower that offers a spectacular viewpoint of the entire city of Haapsalu and the surrounding areas. She also introduced me to the English language teacher who informed me of some of the exciting programs the students are working on as well as an Erasmus exchange program that she and several other teachers from Finland, Russia and other surrounding countries have been engaged in for the last several years. We also spoke a lot about new techniques and approaches to learning including participatory learning and making the learning materials relevant to the students and their circumstances. There are many overlaps and implications of adult education for the youth studying particularly at this school, but also in similar ones throughout Estonia.

The differences between this school and similar ones in the United States are pretty astounding. First of all, this school clearly has enough resources for its students. There are opportunities for music and art along with mathematics and sciences. The students have their own space in the basement of the school where they can spend time socializing during breaks or before and after school. Many of the classrooms are equipped with smartboards (or partial smartboards) and the chemistry lab seemed to be well equipped. I did not get to meet or speak with any of the students but it seems that they enjoy the programs the school has to offer. In the United States too many schools are suffering from a lack of funding, students who are unmotivated and often have other social issues happening at home, along with teachers who are underpaid and overworked. I think the education system in the United States could learn a lot from the system in Estonia. Not that the Estonian system is perfect, but they are clearly doing many things right that the US system could absolutely benefit from.

Visiting this school was a fantastic opportunity to glimpse into the life and the school system in Estonia but particularly in Haapsalu. It was one of the highlights of my time spent there during placement. I am very grateful to Viire for allowing me the opportunity to learn intimate details of how the education system works along with giving her the chance to show off a school that she is clearly very proud to be a part of. As I was speaking with Mari from Haapsalu Rahvaulikool about it, it turns out that both her and her parents and grandparents all went to Läänemaa Ühisgümnaasium as indeed many people from Haapsalu do. It was so great to see a part of this history and tradition in this small town of Estonia.

Läänemaa Ühisgümnaasium circa 1934 Läänemaa Ühisgümnaasium circa 2017