Koolikavad

Koolikavad are school-level curricular plans used in Estonia to organize how subjects and learning objectives are delivered. The term is Estonian and translates roughly to school curricula or curricular plans. A koolikava translates national or regional standards into concrete learning goals, topics, and assessment plans for each grade or subject. It typically describes core subjects, elective options, cross-curricular competencies, and the distribution of time for different learning areas. It also outlines teaching approaches, required resources, and how student progress will be measured and reported.

Development and governance: Koolikavad are prepared by school administration in collaboration with teachers and, where applicable, aligned with the national curriculum and legal requirements. They are reviewed during accreditation, inspections, or reform processes, and updated to reflect changes in standards or local needs.

Relation to national standards: Koolikavad function as the school’s implementation plan for the national or regional curriculum. They ensure that teaching covers mandated content while allowing schools to adapt to local context, student needs, and available resources.

Use and revision: They guide annual planning, coherence across grades, and parental understanding of what will be learned. Revisions typically occur on a cycle every several years, with input from educators and stakeholders.