Anna-Reetta and Teemu Nuorala moved from the city center of Riihimäki to Vähikkälä last summer, drawn by the allure of rural life and the presence of a small village school. With their youngest child still in the second grade, they cherished the idea of a smaller educational environment, having previously experienced the challenges of a larger urban school. They envisioned Vähikkälä as a potential lifelong home, but the looming possibility of school closures has made them reconsider their plans, as the school's closure would significantly disrupt their daily routine and sense of community.

The Vähikkälä School is one of four village schools in Janakkala that the municipality is preparing to close, alongside schools in Tanttila, Virala, and Heinajoki, with the aim of concluding educational operations by 2026 and 2027. The timeline for closure decisions is tight, with plans to reach a conclusion on each school's fate by the end of April. This uncertainty creates significant anxiety among families, especially those who have relocated for the education offered by these smaller schools, as they face the possibility of having to uproot their lives once again if the closures proceed.

Local officials have even threatened to file police reports against parents who are voicing their concerns too vocally, highlighting the heightened tensions surrounding the school closure deliberations. The decisions made in the coming months will not only affect the children’s education but also the fabric of the community itself, as families weigh their options in light of the potential loss of their school's role as a central hub in their rural lifestyle.