Compulsory education age: 7-16 (for children who are 7 years old by October 1)

Legal status of homeschooling: Homeschooling is legal. The Estonian Education Act of 1992 (RT 1992, 12, 192) states in Chapter III, § 8, paragraph 4 that the “obligation to attend school may be performed by way of homeschooling.” Many teachers are not aware of the law though and are surprised to learn that homeschooling is legal.

An ordinance issued by the Ministry of Education, Procedures for home schooling (21/12/2007, 83, RTL 2008, 3, 27), stipulates the requirements for homeschooling. Parents are required to apply to homeschool annually at the school where their child is registered. The school is to give homeschooled students assessments at least once a semester; if a student's knowledge does not meet requirements set out in the national curriculum, he will be required to return to school.

Estimated number of homeschoolers: Less than 100

MTU Eesti Koduõppe Keskus
The Estonian Centre for Home Education
POC: Tiia Leis
Email: tiia.leis@gmail.com

Homeschool forum: http://www.foorum.koduope.ee/ (Estonian)

Last Updated: March 2, 2011