I am deeply concerned about the growing segregation of residential areas and the marginalization of youth. Falling out of society is a profound human tragedy — for the individual, their loved ones, and for Finland as a whole. Young people must have a clear vision for the future and the mental resources they need to move forward in life. That's why I want to work to ensure that every young person in Helsinki receives a strong foundation for learning and the tools to build their future on their own terms.

The key problem in basic education is oversized classes

According to OAJ's 2024 member survey, large class sizes are the most burdensome factor in basic education. This affects both the adequacy of support pupils receive and the well-being of teachers. Oversized groups make it harder to provide individualized instruction and deliver the support that many students need. In particular, those requiring special education or Finnish/Swedish as a second language instruction are too often overlooked.

Reducing class sizes isn't just a question of resources — it's a way to improve educational quality and equality. When classes are smaller, teachers can better address the needs of their students, and collaboration between parents and teachers becomes easier, always in the best interest of the child. Every teacher should have the opportunity to do their job well without excessive stress. It's crucial that teachers have confidence in their working conditions for the coming years and trust that their ability to teach is being supported.

We need to define a clear class size target

The City of Helsinki must set a clear policy on the target class sizes in basic education, taking into account the needs for learning support and language instruction. A systematic plan must be created to reach these targets, bringing predictability for parents, teachers, and students alike. This is not only a matter of education policy — it is, above all, an investment in the future of our children and young people.

Comprehensive school is the cornerstone of both individual lives and our entire society. On the City Council, I want to advance concrete solutions that ensure high-quality education, support teacher well-being, and guarantee every pupil receives the help they need to succeed.