Sector Beyond Government Aids Estonian Educational System
Got a burning passion for education but feeling burnt out by outdated school management techniques? Fear not! Estonia's transformative leaders are blurring the lines between public and private sectors to breathe new life into school administration. Let's dive into this game-changing movement, where private sector management practices are shaking up traditional teaching environments.
Unleashing the Power of Unicorns (...and Boys)
Meet the HK Unicorn Squad movement, a force to be reckoned with. This movement empowers girls to conquer technology, robotics, and science, ultimately aiming to shrink the gender gap in the ICT sector. With 154 Unicorn groups from 92 schools across Estonia, this female-focused initiative is a powerful statement that the future is multi-gender and tech-driven.
Edumus: The Matchmakers of Knowledge
Now, let's talk Edumus, a platform connecting schools and professionals. With 80 schools nationwide on board, pupils in grades 10-12 can virtually attend the most valuable online courses that spark their interests. Imagine that! Learning battleships from a pro designer while munching on a bag of chips at home.
The Birth of a Revolution: The Good Deed Education Fund
Way back in 2018, the Good Deed Education Fund, founded by the Good Deed Foundation and led by some of the brightest minds in Estonia, was launched. This powerhouse aims to tackle pressing issues plaguing the education sector, such as school management quality, teacher shortage, and promoting a learning culture.
Cross-Sector Collaboration: The Sweet Spot for Innovation
Talking shop with Martin Villig, chairman of the Good Deed Foundation, he shared that his investment in education stems from his belief in an idealistic world where every child receives a quality education, thereby creating a healthier, smarter, and more balanced society.
The Good Deed Education Fund encourages initiatives that tackle education challenges collaboratively, partnering with leaders from public, private, and non-profit sectors to improve the quality of education.
A Brave Little Experiment: School Leadership Internships
The Good Deed Education Fund kickstarted school leadership internships in 2019. Founded by both Tallinn Education Department pioneers and Fontes Talent Advisory board members, the program bridged the gap between school leadership and the corporate world. The internship program has gradually expanded, with the fifth group of school leaders embarking on their journey in January 2024.
The Power of Synergy
Pirkko Valge, CEO of the Good Deed Foundation and a program architect, highlights the need for schools to adopt cutting-edge leadership and management practices. By learning from the private sector's competition for talent and focus on leadership development, schools can create a more supportive environment for teachers, in turn enhancing the quality of education and student experience.
Today, forward-thinking municipalities, schools under the Estonian education and research ministry, and large cities are on board with the program, and the fund continues to grow its reach across the country.
Changes in Communication and Collaboration
Marie Roostik, principal of Tartu Jaan Poska High School, participated in the program, gaining valuable insights from her experience at Veriff, an Estonian digital verification technology company. Roostik implemented innovations in internal communication, such as utilizing Google Calendar, Slack, and creating clearer data-driven decision-making processes in her school, leading to better organizational structures and happier students.
Tallinn Art Gymnasium's headmistress, Mari-Liis Sults, worked at Wise (formerly TransferWise), learning about company culture and processes. Upon returning, Sults revamped communication strategies and implemented new systems to reduce stress on teachers, making the school more efficient and student-centric.
A Win-Win Situation
Companies offering internships, such as Pipedrive and Wise, value this unique opportunity to collaborate with educational leaders, gaining fresh perspectives on their own organizations and fostering growth for both parties. Ingrid Palm, Pipedrive's people and culture manager, and Brett Lemsalu, Wise's senior people advisor and mentor, emphasize the reciprocal nature of the program, where participants bring value to the company while gaining hands-on experience.
As the Good Deed Education Fund continues to transform education in Estonia by adopting best-practice leadership strategies from the private sector, it paves the way for a more effective, student-focused, and tech-friendly school system. Keep an eye on this dynamic collaboration, enlightening a brighter future for both education and the private sector!
- The HK Unicorn Squad movement, active across 92 Estonian schools, empowers girls to explore technology, robotics, and science, aiming to address the gender gap in the ICT sector.
- Edumus, a connection platform for schools and professionals, partners with over 80 Estonian schools to provide online courses that spark pupils' interests, allowing them to learn new skills from industry professionals.
- The Good Deed Education Fund, founded in 2018, collaborates with leaders from public, private, and non-profit sectors to tackle issues such as school management quality, teacher shortage, and fostering a learning culture.
- Martin Villig, chairman of the Good Deed Foundation, advocates for an idealistic world where every child receives quality education, creating a healthier, smarter, and more balanced society.
- In 2019, the Good Deed Education Fund launched school leadership internships, bridging the gap between school leadership and the corporate world, enabling school leaders to learn from industry professionals and implement innovative strategies in their schools.
- Pirkko Valge, CEO of the Good Deed Foundation, emphasizes the need for schools to adopt advanced leadership and management practices, learning from the private sector's focus on competition for talent and leadership development.
- School leaders who participate in the internship program, such as Tartu Jaan Poska High School's Marie Roostik and Tallinn Art Gymnasium's Mari-Liis Sults, gain valuable insights from private sector companies and implement innovations in communication, decision-making, and school organization, ultimately improving the quality of education and student experience.
