Estonia eschews phone bans in schools and takes leap into AI
Estonia, Europe’s new education leader, has taken a contrasting approach to many countries by encouraging smartphone use in classrooms rather than banning them. From September, students will be granted personal AI accounts, integrating technology deeper into learning. The country leads Europe in PISA scores for math, science, and creative thinking, surpassing nations with larger economies and populations.
Estonia’s national initiative, “AI Leap,” aims to provide 58,000 students and 5,000 teachers with access to world-class AI tools by 2027. The government is negotiating with OpenAI to make Estonia a pioneer in AI-integrated education. Teachers will receive training focused on digital ethics, self-directed learning, and AI literacy to promote equity and future-ready skills.
Education Minister Kristina Kallas highlighted Estonia’s digital openness, explaining that mobile phones are integral to learning. Unlike many European countries, Estonia does not ban smartphones in schools, instead allowing teachers to use them as educational tools. Kallas noted that 16-year-olds can even vote online, making digital literacy a civic as well as academic priority.
Estonia’s embrace of technology dates back to its 1997 “Tiger Leap” program. Now, with AI revolutionizing education, Kallas predicts a shift from traditional learning methods like essays to oral exams and cognitive skill development. She emphasized the urgency of adapting to AI, stating that evolving intellectually is essential to avoid being overtaken by technology.
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