Financing - Estonia

Municipal education institutions (pre-school childcare institutions and schools) are financed by the state and from local budgets. In addition, revenue from foundations, donations and income received from paid services etc. may be considered both in the case of state and of municipal schools.

The expenses of the private education institutions are covered by the manager and in some cases, by the state. Expenses related to pre-school childcare institution teachers' in-service training are covered by the state budget as well as school teachers' salaries and expenses related to the acquisition of textbooks in both education institutions.

Pre-school childcare institutions are mostly municipally owned and they are financed by the local budget, although parents have to pay a participation fee. Expenses related to pre-school childcare institution teachers' in-service training are covered by the state budget.  90% of  the schools are municipally owned, 5% are state schools and 5% private schools. Teachers' salaries and the expenses related to the acquisition of textbooks are covered by the state budget in all schools. The manager of the school covers the operating expenses (management expenses, staff expenditure - except teachers’ salaries and the cost of teaching aids, except the cost of textbooks).

Expenses related to boarding-school facilities available at schools are also covered by the state budget. Classes for pupils who have behavioural problems, for children with health disorders and pupils with special needs, preparatory groups for pre-primary children, prolonged day groups and remedial groups are formed in the school with the consent of the rural municipality or city government, and additional financial resources are allocated according to the special needs of the pupils.