Changes in Estonian General Education from the Collapse of the Soviet Union to EU Entry

This article introduces and discusses the nature and development of Estonian system of general education in the period of last thirty years. The main focus is paid on the changes resulting from the collapse of the Soviet Union and the period of integration leading up to EU entry. Also changes in other spheres of education and social life are briefly discussed. Special attention is paid to outlining and analysis of Estonian educational strategy, policies, and school and curriculum renewal since regaining the national independence in 1991. The study shows that learning the history of general education of a country, especially if it is a transfer society, is an inevitable condition for making informed educational decisions in present, and sound decisions today create, in their turn, a strong foundation for sustainable development of this country's education in the future.