Good Schools - Strong Community

In Põlvamaa, the county we live, education has always been an important topic to locals. Most of our schools are strong and child friendly and parents are interested in their children's education. A famous old time Estonian teacher and school innovator Johannes Käis was born in Rosma. In the exact building where currently is located a Waldorf kinderkarten 'Täheke' ('Starlet'). Next to it is located an alternative Waldorf School (based on Rudolf Steiner's idealogy) called Johhannese Kool. To those who have not heard about Steiner, I refer a web page http://www.steinerwaldorf.org.uk/whatissteinereducation.html, where Steiner Education is nicely described.

Steiner education...

◦Works for all children irrespective of academic ability, class, ethnicity or religion;
◦Takes account of the needs of the whole child – academic, physical, emotional and spiritual;
◦Is based on an understanding of the relevance of the different phases of child development;
◦Develops a love of learning and an enthusiasm for school;
◦Sees artistic activity and the development of the imagination as integral to learning;
◦Is tried and tested and is part of state funded, mainstream provision in most European countries;
◦Is respected worldwide for its ability to produce very able young people who have a strong sense of self and diverse capacities that enable them to become socially and economically responsible citizens.

Already third year in May Johannese Kool is organizing an alternative educational conference 'Good Choices in Education'. It is a place with great vibes, good energy and powerful thoughts. People from all over Estonia are coming together, lots of parents from the same Joahannese school and other families from vicinity. All families are welcomed, as there are activities for parents and children. The catering has always been an art like experience in its own: health food, clean tasting and full of energy. This year it was provided by a little company called Setu Sõsarõ consisting of three Setu sisters. Setu is a different cultural region, part of Põlvamaa, but they have different religion and traditions.

Viluste Kool, the elementary and middle shool of our town where our children go, is also a very good school. It is an old school, founded in 1769 as part of many Räpina Parish schools which were founded that year. In 2001 a new school building was finished and it looks and acts beautifully. The teachers are active and ignite the students to participate in all kinds of after school actuvities. They have a drama group, several folk dancing groups, two choirs and a boys ansamble, art club and declamation club. Several times in a year school puts on grand concerts. The annual spring concert just happened, lasting the usual two hours and most of the students on the stage several times taking part in different activities. I really appreciate the energy our teachers are putting into getting the students to be active. Thank you!