Politics
The City of Tampere is planning to implement a ban on face coverings in its educational institutions, set to take effect on 1 January 2027. The policy would apply during early childhood education, school days, upper secondary education, and vocational training, as well as during related activities such as excursions.
Politics
Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman (Finns Party) has rejected all appeals submitted by universities regarding his decision to withhold funding for nine social welfare research projects, Helsingin Sanomat (HS) reports. The minister’s decisions, issued contrary to the ministry’s initial proposals, have now been finalized, with
Education
A new disciplinary policy in Jyväskylä’s primary schools imposes stricter consequences for unauthorized phone use, with after-school detention now possible after just five infractions. The measures, part of a broader plan for educational actions and safety, took effect at the beginning of August alongside a nationwide mobile phone
Education
A majority of families using early childhood education services in Finland no longer pay income-based customer fees, according to a recent survey. The Association of Finnish Municipalities (Kuntaliitto) reports that over 50% of clients were exempt from fees in 2024, a significant increase from slightly under 40% four years
Politics
Former Member of Parliament Erkki Pystynen has passed away at the age of 93. The news was first reported by Iltalehti and later confirmed by multiple sources. Pystynen died peacefully in his sleep at a care home on 13 July 2026, according to Mika Kotiranta, the son of Pystynen’s
Politics
Finland will require a new citizenship test for applicants starting in March 2027, as part of reforms to the Citizenship Act. The test, designed to assess knowledge of Finnish society, will apply to working-age individuals aged 18–65 who submit their applications from 1 March onward. Those who apply
Education
A recent survey by the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ) reveals a troubling and accelerating increase in violence and threats directed at teachers and education professionals, with the most severe cases reported in early childhood education. The findings, published in OAJ’s latest working conditions barometer, highlight a
Education
Mediation efforts in the prolonged labor dispute involving Finland’s universities of applied sciences have resumed, with talks set to continue next week. The National Conciliator’s Office confirmed that today’s session has concluded, and negotiations will reconvene on Monday at 1:00 PM (MTV Uutiset). The dispute, which
Education
The City of Helsinki’s decision to redraw school district boundaries in East Helsinki has triggered opposition from guardians, local politicians, and even prompted some families to move out of the area. The changes, approved by the Finnish-speaking division of the Education and Training Committee on 2 June and
Education
Approximately 50,000 children will begin their first year of basic education in Finland this August, marking a continued decrease in the number of first graders. The Finnish National Agency for Education reports that this year’s intake is around 1,000 fewer than in 2023 (Yle, MTV Uutiset). The
Education
A group of International Baccalaureate (IB) students in Rovaniemi have been left without their diplomas after their final exam papers were delayed in the UK postal system, preventing assessment. The incident has affected around 20 students at Lyseonpuisto Upper Secondary School, including 19-year-old Sydney Vidakovic, who was unable
Education
A live video call was established on Wednesday from Heureka Science Centre in Vantaa to the International Space Station (ISS), allowing European children to pose questions to French astronaut Sophie Adenot. The event, organised by the European Space Agency (ESA), marked the fourth time Heureka has facilitated such a connection