õpilasesinduste

Õpilasesinduse is a concept in education, specifically in Estonia, referring to a harmonious symbiosis between the student body, teachers, and school administration. This framework was established in 2017, when Estonia's Ministry of Education and Research revisited the draft of the Estonian Education Strategy, in which information exchange and dialogue between different parts of the educational process were emphasized.

The essence of õpilasesinduse is rooted in promoting active participation and not merely involuntarily expressed feelings. It is built upon mutual understanding, mutual respect, and open communication between students, teachers, administrators, and parents. The key idea is for each part of the educational community to function together in such a manner that no particular part resorts to virtual communication instead of real-life dialogue.

A fundamental principle of õpilasesinduse is autonomy. In practice, this has led to the Estonian education system's schools adopting a more decentralized structure, empowering the student body to play a key role in decision-making processes. To facilitate open communication, many Estonian schools have incorporated systematic student-administrator-educator collaborations, promoting a culture in which problems are raised and open discussions can take place at all levels.