The Riigikogu passed with 72 votes in favour the Vocational Educational Institutions Act, Republic of Estonia Education Act, Private Schools Act and Health Insurance Act Amendment Act (738 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act stipulates the innovations proceeding from the Estonian vocational education system development plan for 2005-2008. The innovations expand the possibilities of vocational training and make them more flexible, regulate more detailedly the mechanisms of financing the state-commissioned education and training, and stipulate more extensive participation of social partners in the organisation of vocational training. The Act provides for more flexible possibilities in vocational training, in conformity with the principles of lifelong learning, extending the participation in vocational training and essentially reducing the school dropout rate. The Act also regulates the mechanism of state-commissioned education and makes the use of financial means through state-commissioned education more efficient.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of two Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Business Code (777 SE), initiated by the Legal Affairs Committee.

The Bill on Amendments to the Liquid Fuel Stocks Act (772 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, Estonian Reform Party Faction and Estonian People’s Union Faction. The Social Democratic Party Faction, Union for the Republic – Res Publica Faction and the Isamaaliit Faction moved to reject the Bill. The result of voting: 27 votes in favour, 47 against. The Bill remained in the legislative proceeding.

The Riigikogu Press Service