– Our starting point is that all Helsinki schools and daycare centres are good, said Deputy Mayor Nasima Razmyar in opening the event at the City Hall’s Event Square.
Guardians from all around Helsinki attended the parents’ evening. They discussed in small groups the direction in which they thought Helsinki’s early childhood education, comprehensive schools and upper secondary education should be taken, what should be changed and what should be preserved.
– While we have challenges, we also have many good things, said the Head of Education Division Satu Järvenkallas, who spoke to the guardians together with the Head of Swedish-language Education Services, Niclas Grönholm.
As stated in the City Strategy, the learners and their well-being are at the heart of everything in Helsinki. Järvenkallas emphasised that learning generates well-being and that children and young people who are well-being learn things.
Lively discussion in three languages
The guardians were tasked to think about what they would wish the school of the future would be like. They then discussed at length how their wishes could be achieved. The outlining work is part of the Education 2030 agenda, which has already involved comprehensive school pupils, upper secondary level students and Education Division’s personnel.
The groups discussed lively in Finnish, Swedish and English. At the end of the fully booked event, the groups’ ideas were brought together, and each group shared their main findings.
“School should be a communal place”
The guardians hoped for the education to emphasise interaction and social skills. The English-speaking group noted it should start already during early childhood education.
– The school should be a communal place where families can meet. This way, foreign-language parents can become part of the community.
The parents also wanted to participate in the schools’ projects to get to know the children and vice versa.
The guardians hoped that attention would be paid to the basics, meaning sufficient staffing in schools and early childhood education.
– When the staff are doing well, then also the children are doing well, said one guardian in the Swedish-speaking group.
The parents also emphasised the importance of the spaces for learning. Not all learning environments are suitable for everyone. They also hoped that teachers would be heard when deciding on any reforms, as they are the best experts in their field.
– Reforms should start at the grassroots level because then it is easier to commit to them, said one of the parents.
The group sizes were also discussed. The parents thought that from a learning point of view, the younger the child, the smaller the group size would be the best.
Life skills, digital skills, empathy skills
The fact that Helsinki is a very multicultural city was stated several times during the evening. Parents thought schools should consider it as a strength. Accordingly, teachers were encouraged to consider children from different cultures as a source of richness and individuals who can contribute something new to the group.
The parents hoped that the children would learn to be with different kinds of people, and that they would learn empathy skills, life skills, digital skills and strong reading skills. They also discussed ways to prevent bullying and warn young people of various risks, such as addictions.
– I think it is good that we cooperate with the homes more. The more we know about what the parents think and hope, the better, said one of the evening’s facilitators, Comprehensive School Norsen's teacher Melvalan Enlund.
Because of the long learning path, the guardians hoped that the students would have the opportunity to change their direction and mind about the future if the first choice turns out to be wrong. Children should not have to decide about their future at too early an age.
More discussion events planned
The guardians’ ideas will be compiled and used to help build future education. All participants will also receive a summary of the event.
Helsinki will organise more similar hearings for guardians and other residents in different city areas – plans for next spring are already being made.
– This event was just the first of many to consult with the citizens about the vision of the school of the future. We want to do this together to get the best possible outcome, said one of the organisers, Participation Specialist Silja Lindblad.
– Your thoughts are very important! This was the highlight of my week, Järvenkallas said to the guardians in closing.
Text: Nina Dale
