Suaad Onniselkä has been appointed as the principal of the Mainingin school in Espoo as of December, marking a significant milestone as perhaps the first Muslim principal in Finland. Her tenure is set to commence in March 2024, after she completes her role as the assistant principal at Puistonpolun basic school in Helsinki. This appointment is seen as a reflection of the growing diversity within Finnish schools.

Onniselkä, who converted to Islam in the 1990s, faces challenges stemming from prejudices, especially being a headscarf-wearing Muslim woman. She has expressed that her choice to wear the headscarf is personal and has drawn mixed reactions from individuals around her. The increasing number of immigrant-background children in Finnish schools has made these educational environments more multicultural, highlighting a shift in Finnish society.

With the rise in the percentage of immigrant children, the issue of bullying directed at these students has become a pressing concern. Recent studies, including research from the University of Jyväskylä referenced in a major editorial, indicate that first-generation immigrant children particularly experience bullying in schools. Addressing these issues is crucial for fostering an inclusive atmosphere in Finnish education, and Onniselkä's appointment may contribute to this goal by promoting understanding and acceptance.