OPINION PIECE: Youth and Education

August 2, 2022

Young people have changed increasingly over time, yet schools continue to be shaped by adults. This is partly understandable, as school and education play a vital role in preparing individuals for adult life. However, formal education, which is structured around adult choices and labor market demands, may no longer align with young people's own life plans today. For many young people, current adult living standards are no longer attractive, and they therefore wish to apply their personal preferences already in their studies. I believe that the more flexible and diverse the curriculum, the better opportunities young people have to shape their future at an early age.

Socialization is also an important component in human development, so peers and time spent with them are crucial in the context of young people's lives. The availability of sports clubs and hobby groups for young people of different ages is a very current topic. In our country, hobby education currently holds not only athletic potential but can be seen in a much broader sense. How can we unite diverse young people and build such important trust and a sense of belonging in our country? I don't know a better method of integration for young people than sports. People from different backgrounds, who come together through a shared interest – from this, much else in common also develops. For example, through hockey training, I learned Russian to a level I probably wouldn't have reached in a school lesson. However, I am convinced that if our coach had spoken in the state language, my non-native speaking training partners would have learned Estonian very well instead!

We live in a constantly changing world, and the migration of peoples is becoming increasingly relevant here in Estonia as well. Therefore, I also believe that the accessibility of hobby education is an important topic, as is the valuing of hobby education leaders – instructors and coaches – because it contributes to the integration of society. Plato said that the direction in which education leads a person determines their future life. We have much to improve in education, but one might say that it would be foolish to disdain what the Estonian state has to offer us in education!

On September 1st, when the Day of Knowledge is celebrated nationwide, Tartu will also host a city-wide “Festival of Wisdom”, marking the start of a new academic year in schools and hobby education. The festival will take place in the parking lot of the University of Tartu Library and on the lawn in front of it, from 3 PM to 8 PM. An evening full of active events and performances, celebrating education in all its forms in our lives! The main organizer of the event is Tartu Youth Work Centre in cooperation with the Tartu City Youth Council.

Opinion piece author Robin Sepma, member of Tartu City Youth Council

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