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296 – Estonia’s Primus Programme, 2008-2014, Estonia
Responsible body: Ministry of Education and Research; Implemented by Archimedes Foundation;
in cooperation with other partners
Country of implementation: Estonia
Beneficiaries targeted: University students, including students with disabilities
SUMMARY
As a result of higher education reforms and with the help of funding from the European Social Fund, Estonia launched
its Primus Programme, which was implemented from 2008 to 2014. With view to students with special needs, the
programme offered stipends and support schemes for them, along with arranging training sessions and seminars for
freshmen, and cooperating through a network of study and career counsellors to develop student support services
(study and career counselling).
CONTEXT/P ROBLEMS TARGETED (WITH ADDITIONS FROM THE ZERO P ROJECT T EAM)
After different higher education reforms, the Primus Programme was launched, on the basis of subsections 12 (4) and
20 (1) of the 2007–2013 Structural Assistance Act. The aims of the programme and the activities planned for achieving
them relate to the aims of the Estonian Higher Education Strategy 2006–2015, the National Strategic Reference
Framework 2007–2013, the Operational Programme for Human Resource Development created on its basis and the
development plan of the area of government of the Ministry of Education and Research entitled “Tark ja tegus rahvas”
(“Wise and active people”) 2008-2011. All higher education institutions have participated in the drafting and
development process of Primus; as well, umbrella organizations of persons with disabilities, umbrella organisations of
student unions, and different ministries were included in this process. A special working group consisting of different
representatives, including students with disabilities, was established to develop and propose solutions related to
disabilities (handbook, conditions of scholarship, etc.). Furthermore, gatherings with disability experts and students
were organized.
OBJECTIVES/GOALS
To improve the quality of higher education and increase the competitiveness of graduates. With view to persons with
disabilities: To decrease interruption of studies and to increase competitiveness of students by supporting training of
adjusting to studies for entrants, by providing study and career counselling services and by providing support services to
persons with special needs.
KEY F EATURES (W ITH ADDITIONS FROM THE ZERO P ROJECT TEAM)
Estonia’s Primus programme is to be classified as a national non-legally binding distributive-regulatory policy. It is a
programme for Higher Education Quality Enhancement that was financed by the European Social Fund and the Estonian
state budget, and that was implemented by the Archimedes Foundation (its Centre for Higher Education Development).
The programme focused on the development of six activity areas: