Support Fund for Lower Secondary STEM Teachers
The Estonian education system has long been recognized as excellent and world-class, but it now faces serious challenges. The number of new teachers entering the profession is declining, especially at the lower secondary school level, where teacher attrition is highest. Nearly 40% of new teachers leave the profession within the first five years (according to the Heateo Foundation’s study “The Teacher Lifecycle 2015–2022”). The dropout rate is particularly high in lower secondary schools. At the same time, young people’s interest in STEM subjects is declining, and fewer students are choosing advanced mathematics in upper secondary school — a crucial prerequisite for studying technology and engineering at the university level.
Why is this a problem?
STEM subjects are one of the key pillars of Estonia’s economy and innovation. These disciplines are essential for the development of engineering, information technology, and smart industry. Moreover, understanding STEM is critical for defining problems in almost any field. If students lose interest and confidence in these subjects during lower secondary school, their chances of pursuing further studies in science and technology decrease. This, in turn, may slow down Estonia’s economic development and reduce its international competitiveness.
In cooperation with the Estonian Teachers’ Union, the Development Fund of the Tallinn University of Technology conducted a survey among lower secondary STEM teachers. The results revealed that many teachers genuinely enjoy teaching and are motivated by enthusiastic students who show a spark in their eyes. And it is often the teachers themselves who ignite that spark. A student spends more than 8 hours a day at school, much of it in direct interaction with teachers.
What motivates teachers?
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Student success – seeing students succeed in their field gives teachers a strong drive to inspire and encourage others.
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Personal growth and development – continuous learning and self-improvement are inherent to the teaching profession.
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Recognition – appreciation from society, colleagues, parents, and students. The feeling that their work is valued and respected.
Today’s 8th grade student will be a university-educated engineer in 2035.
Goal: 4 scholarships to every county of Estonia
Solution: Let’s Support the Teachers Who Shape and Inspire Future Talents
As one solution, we have established a Support Fund for Lower Secondary STEM Teachers, which helps to:
✅ Recognize and support teachers so they remain motivated to teach and have the resources to do their work with heart and dedication.
✅ Reduce teacher burnout and attrition by offering support and additional opportunities for personal and professional development.
✅ Strengthen Estonia’s education system and economy by increasing the number of young people entering the fields of technology and engineering in the future.
The goal of the support fund is to value and retain the teachers who can instill in young people the belief that STEM subjects are not just about complex formulas and abstract theories, but also practical and exciting tools to achieve their dreams and change the world.
What do we aim to achieve?
📌 More lower secondary students who dare to explore and experiment in STEM subjects, even when they seem difficult at first.
📌 A greater number of students who choose advanced mathematics in upper secondary school and pursue studies in technology, engineering, and natural sciences.
📌 In the years to come, more engineers, scientists, and technologists who will help elevate Estonia’s economy to the next level.
How can you contribute?
Join us in supporting Estonia’s future! Every contribution — whether financial support, mentorship, sharing your expertise, or simply raising awareness — helps create better opportunities for both teachers and young people.
Share information about the fund with colleagues, community members, school teachers, and local businesses.
Companies can also contribute to the fund by making a transfer to the Development Fund account:
Account holder: Tallinn University of Technology Development Fund (SA Tallinna Tehnikaülikooli Arengufond)
SEB: EE471010052027905003
Swedbank: EE572200221011286139
LHV: EE547700771003875312
Reference: Õpetajate toetusfond (Teachers’ Support Fund)
NB! The Tallinn University of Technology Development Fund is included in the list of organizations eligible for income tax incentives. Donations are tax-deductible. To receive a tax refund, please include your personal identification code in the payment details — the Development Fund will forward the necessary information to the Estonian Tax and Customs Board.
Donors
- Andrus Purde
- Bharath Chari, Titanium OÜ
- Elinor Toming
- Estel Pukk
- Miina Karafin
TalTech also inspires and provides continuing education for teachers. At least once a year, TalTech’s Open University organizes an Inspiration Day for secondary school STEM teachers. The event aims to showcase practical solutions where students can later apply their STEM knowledge both in their studies and future careers. Over 40 teachers from schools across Estonia participated in the 2025 Spring Inspiration Day.
Every euro supports quality education in Estonian schools
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where does my donation go?
Your donation goes to the Lower Secondary STEM Teachers Sub-Fund, a designated fund within the Tallinn University of Technology Development Fund. All contributions made to this sub-fund are allocated directly to teachers who are awarded a scholarship through a public application process.
This ensures that every donation reaches dedicated educators who are making a real difference in shaping the next generation.
- Teachers can apply for the scholarship themselves by submitting the required documents.Col
- leagues and parents can also nominate outstanding teachers by providing all the necessary documentation.
Can I deduct my donation from income tax?
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Yes, you can. The Tallinn University of Technology Development Fund (SA Tallinna Tehnikaülikooli Arengufond) is included in the list of nonprofit organizations eligible for income tax incentives in Estonia.
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Private individuals can deduct donations of up to €1,200 per year from their taxable income.
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This applies to all donations made either through the support portal toeta.taltech.ee or directly to the Development Fund’s bank accounts, as long as the donor includes their personal identification code in the payment details.
At the beginning of each calendar year, the Development Fund forwards all the necessary information to the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, and the donation summary will automatically appear on your income tax declaration.
How can I support and donate
There are several ways to contribute:
✅ Make a donation through this platform.
✅ Transfer your donation directly to the Development Fund’s bank accounts:
Account holder: SA Tallinna Tehnikaülikooli Arengufond
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SEB: EE471010052027905003
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Swedbank: EE572200221011286139
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LHV: EE547700771003875312
Reference: Õpetajate toetusfond (Teachers’ Support Fund)
✅ For companies:
Get in touch with us, and we’ll provide an invoice tailored for your business donation.
A fund supported solely by donations
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Every donation counts! The fund was created from a place of open-hearted support and is entirely financed by donations. That means every contribution plays a vital role in enabling scholarships for dedicated teachers.
For example: scholarship amounts to €1,800, it would take just 36 people donating €50 each to fully fund it.
And if that teacher, during their career, manages to inspire 20–30 students to explore physics, technology, mathematics, biology, or chemistry — then your €50 donation may have changed the course of dozens of young lives.
That’s the power of collective support.
How
- You can nominate teachers, too!
- Application and nomination process:
- Everyone — including students, parents, colleagues, and community members — is welcome to nominate a teacher by submitting an application form.
- Teachers are also encouraged to apply themselves by filling out the same form.
📅 Applications can be submitted during the month of September.
More detailed information and instructions will be available soon.
All applications will be submitted to the TalTech Development Fund, which assembles a selection committee to review and evaluate the applications.
The committee includes representatives from: The Estonian Teachers’ Union, Supporters and donors of the fund, TalTech (Tallinn University of Technology).
The committee will select four scholarship recipients from each county, ensuring broad regional representation and recognition of outstanding teachers across Estonia.
