Tartu student: civics classes should involve reading newspapers, not just memorising concepts

Anna Saar, a student at Tartu Tamme School, believes Estonia's education system needs changes in the right direction – civics classes could discuss current issues rather than simply drilling concepts. She argues that education reforms are starting in the wrong place.

Anna Saar, a student at Tartu Tamme School, raises the question of whether Estonian schools prepare young people adequately for a rapidly changing world. In her view, while the education system talks extensively about reforms, the changes are starting in the wrong place.

Saar points to civics as an example, where the focus is currently largely on memorising concepts. In her opinion, instead of this – or at least alongside it – classes could read and discuss current news and newspapers. This way, students would get a better understanding of how theoretical knowledge manifests in real life.

The student's criticism is not aimed solely at civics, but at the overall approach in which classroom lessons have remained unchanged for decades, despite the fact that society around them has changed significantly. Today's young person needs skills that help them navigate the media landscape, distinguish reliable information from misinformation, and understand current political events.

The theme of educational change is one of the most covered topics in Estonian media, but according to Saar, discussions often remain superficial and fail to reach the day-to-day reality of the classroom. Her proposal – bringing daily newspapers into civics class – is simple, but could be an important step in increasing youth participation in society.