Education

School absences among comprehensive school students decline after years of increase

Comprehensive school students in Finland accumulated fewer absences last year compared to previous years, marking the first decline in nearly a decade. According to data from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the average number of absences per student dropped to just over 52 hours in 2023, down from nearly 60 hours two years earlier (Uutissuomalainen, cited by Yle and MTV Uutiset).

The trend of rising absences had been consistent since 2017, with a particularly sharp increase following the coronavirus pandemic. However, last year’s figures indicate a reversal, as reported by Uutissuomalainen and confirmed by THL’s biennial data collection.

The Finnish National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus) suggests that a legislative amendment introduced in 2023 may have contributed to the decline. The new law requires education providers to monitor absences and their causes more rigorously while also implementing measures to prevent them (Yle). The data includes all types of absences, whether authorized—such as sick leave or approved travel—or unauthorized, like truancy.

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Coalition Party to Debate Publication of Tiitinen List at Upcoming Congress

The Coalition Party’s party board has proposed that its upcoming congress approve an initiative by the Coalition Youth to push for the publication of the so-called Tiitinen list. The party congress is scheduled for the first weekend of June. The initiative, if approved, would obligate the party board and

Cyclist trapped under car freed by bystanders in Joensuu collision

A cyclist was trapped under a passenger car after a collision on Kettuvaara Road in Karsikko, Joensuu, on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred when the cyclist was crossing the road and was struck by the vehicle, according to the North Karelia Rescue Department. The cyclist became pinned beneath the car,

Car engulfed in flames in Espoo, no injuries reported

A passenger car caught fire in broad daylight in the Lommila district of Espoo on Saturday afternoon. The Western Uusimaa Rescue Department responded to the incident at 1:30 PM, extinguishing the blaze without significant disruption to traffic (Iltalehti). The fire occurred near the junction of Ring Road III, close

Sinimusta Movement rebranded from Blue-Black unveils election program calling for segregated schools, citizenship by descent, and sparks violent clashes

The openly racist and fascist Sinimusta Movement (formerly known as the Blue-Black Movement) has published its parliamentary election program, proposing that pupils with an immigrant background be separated from native Finnish students into their own classes or even entirely separate schools. The party, which states it represents the interests of

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Coalition Party to Debate Publication of Tiitinen List at Upcoming Congress

Cyclist trapped under car freed by bystanders in Joensuu collision

Car engulfed in flames in Espoo, no injuries reported

Sinimusta Movement rebranded from Blue-Black unveils election program calling for segregated schools, citizenship by descent, and sparks violent clashes