Life after scandal: One of the country's oldest Russian gymnasiums is gradually becoming Estonian-language

Tallinn's Central City Russian Gymnasium, a historic institution in Estonia, is undergoing a significant transformation as it gradually shifts to Estonian-language instruction. This move places the school at the center of Estonia's ongoing educational reforms aimed at integrating Russian-speaking communities.

The transition has been contentious, leading to the dismissal of the former director, Sergei Teplov. Investigations and accusations surfaced suggesting that Teplov's administration actively hindered the progress of adopting Estonian as the primary language of instruction. This has placed the school in a focal point of the debate surrounding language and education policy in the country.

Ingar Dubolazov has taken over the leadership of the Tallinn Central City Russian Gymnasium. The school's gradual shift to Estonian reflects a broader national policy to strengthen the use of the Estonian language in education, particularly in schools historically serving minority language communities.