The number of primary school students in Finland is projected to drop by 96,000 by the 2030s, prompting calls for a reevaluation of education management in schools.
The Finnish education system is facing a significant demographic challenge as the number of primary school pupils is expected to decrease by approximately 96,000 by the year 2030. Irmeli Myllymäki, the leader of education policy at the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, emphasizes the need for a new approach to organizing basic education in light of this decline. She insists that while restructuring is necessary, the quality and accessibility of education must be maintained across the country.
To illustrate the impact of this decline, Myllymäki points out that with an average of 25 students per classroom, nearly 3,840 fewer teaching groups will exist in the future. This situation is compounded by an increase in the percentage of students with foreign language backgrounds, indicating a need for schools to adapt to changing demographics. The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities has been involved in a working group established by the Ministry of Education and Culture (OPM) to strategize effective responses to these challenges.
The Association emphasizes three key themes to address the unfolding situation; first, enhancing collaboration among education providers, primarily municipalities, is crucial. This would include utilizing teaching staff more efficiently and reinforcing the teaching profession. Additionally, leveraging remote connections is seen as a valuable resource. Myllymäki believes that municipal cooperation is becoming increasingly vital in ensuring that all students receive a high-quality education despite the phenomenon of declining enrollment numbers.
