Elsa Gretškina

Elsa Gretškina (Russian: Эльза Робертовна Гречкина; born Elsa Krensman; 15 April 1932 – 20 October 2014) was a Soviet-Estonian politician (Communist) and educator. She served as Minister of Education of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1980 until 1988. She was known both for implementing Soviet language policies in Estonia and for introducing educational reforms.

Early life Elsa Gretškina was born on 15 April 1932 in Siiverska village, Gatchina District, Leningrad Oblast. Her father, Robert Krensman, was an ethnic Estonian from Saaremaa. Her mother, Maria, was Ingrian Finnish.

During the Second World War, the family was evacuated to Vologda Oblast as German forces approached the region. They returned to Siiverska in 1944 after the war front had moved westward.

After finishing secondary school, Gretškina studied at the Leningrad Food Industry Technical School. Although she wanted to specialize in confectionery production, she was assigned to the liquor and vodka production department.

In 1951, Gretškina moved to Tallinn after graduating from technical school. When she arrived in Estonia, she spoke very little Estonian. Within a few months, she learned to communicate in the language, helped by her knowledge of Finnish. She began working at the Tallinn Liquor and Vodka Factory. At first, she worked as an ordinary employee and later became head of the liquor production department In 1976, she became a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Estonia. She also served as a deputy in the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR.

In 1988, she received the honorary title of Distinguished Education Worker of the Estonian SSR.

Later Career After Estonia regained independence, Gretškina remained active in education. She worked at Akadeemia Nord, and later became vice-rector for academic affairs at the Raiment Transport Institute.

She joined the Estonian Centre Party in 1998. In 1996, she ran as a candidate for the Mustamäe district council.

Publications

Party Organizations’ Propaganda Activities. Eesti Raamat, 1975 Middle Classes on the Road to Socialism. Eesti Raamat, Tallinn 1976 The Working Class – the Decisive Force of the Tenth Five-Year Plan (with Jevdokia Madise). Eesti Raamat, Tallinn 1978 On Shaping the Political Awareness of the Population: A Guide for Lecturers. Eesti NSV Ühing "Teadus", Tallinn 1984 Contributions to Vene Eragümnaasium "Polüloog", 1998