The Finnish Security Police has labeled children's home education as a security risk, although the education minister disagrees with the necessity of mandatory school attendance.
The Finnish Security Police, known as Supo, has raised concerns regarding home education for children, viewing it as a potential security risk. This follows a significant increase in the number of children receiving home education in Finland, with the numbers tripling over the past decade, and quadrupling in Helsinki, despite a decrease in the overall population of school-age children. Both immigrant and native Finnish children are receiving home education, a trend that is causing alarm among security officials.
Finland has a compulsory education law, but there is no mandatory requirement for children to attend school in person. Parents or guardians can withdraw children from regular schooling by submitting a simple application. Reasons for opting for home education often include children's health issues or special needs, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Additionally, children being homeschooled can congregate under informal home school groups, which do not require official permission to establish.
The Supo's recent report cautions that informal home schooling could pose security risks, as children may be exposed to radical teachings, including radical Islamism or extreme conservatism. This concern has ignited a debate in Finland about the balance between parental rights in education and state regulations aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of children. As the conversation continues, it will highlight the complexities of educational freedoms versus the protection of children from potentially harmful ideologies.
