The Opetusalan ammattijärjestö (OAJ), the Finnish education sector union, has expressed alarm regarding the rising disturbances in schools, as reported by its legal advisor Ulla Walli. Over the past few years, inquiries related to criminal matters received by the union’s lawyers have surged by approximately 60%. This uptick is attributed primarily to the increasing distress among children and youth, alongside a lowered threshold for reporting incidents to authorities.

According to Walli, caregivers are now more inclined to threaten educators and schools with criminal reports, leading to a pattern where educational institutions, as a precaution, are also filing reports to ensure an impartial investigation of incidents. This new trend, while aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the educational environment, places teachers in adverse positions, as they may face actions that seriously disrupt their careers and professional standing.

The ramifications of these criminal processes can be severe for teachers, with some being suspended from their positions and consequently, losing their right to receive a salary during the investigation period. It raises questions about the impact of this dynamic on the teaching profession and student-teacher relationships, as educators feel increasingly threatened and may become hesitant to engage proactively with their students or address behavioral issues, further complicating the educational landscape in Finland.