The leaders of the Board of Education answered questions about how schools are preparing to cope with the expected winter energy crisis and the corona situation.
Many Ukrainian children also attend Finnish schools this fall.
Energy preparations
Finnish schools have been instructed to prepare for power outages due to the expected energy shortage this winter.
Laura FranckeThe unit manager of the Education Agency said that the agency has produced material that guides schools in case of electricity, heating and data network failures.
"Schools must have plans in case of a power outage," Francke said, adding that energy-saving measures can also be teaching opportunities.
"Climate issues are really important for young people," he said.
Personal teaching
Francke said that all schools will continue classroom teaching this fall, despite the predicted increase in coronavirus cases in Finland.
However, there are still special educational arrangements for children belonging to risk groups.
Regular surface cleaning and good hand hygiene are still recommended, even though the law no longer requires it, he explained.
"They also help prevent other infections, and the Norwegian Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) recommends them as permanent measures." he added.
Ukrainian children go to school
Francke said that Ukrainian children mostly enter primary and preparatory education classes, with only a few in early childhood education and secondary education.
Regionally, the largest number of Ukrainians currently live in Finland Proper and Uusimaa.
"[School-age children in those areas] almost half of all Ukrainians starting school," he said.
Francke said it is not yet clear how many Ukrainian students will start school this fall. The ministry’s estimates were based on the situation last spring, when approximately 2,000 Ukrainian children attended Finnish schools.
Although Ukrainians have the right to attend school in Finland, it is not mandatory, he pointed out.
Source: The Nordic Page