Finnish cities pushing for mandatory school attendance law

Finnish cities are advocating for stricter laws regarding homeschooling. Helsinki Mayor Daniel Sazonov, from the National Coalition Party, believes that homeschooling should only be allowed in exceptional circumstances, such as health-related situations. He emphasizes that attending school is not only about academic learning, but also a vital social process and a means of integration. In Helsinki, around 0.4 percent of pupils are being home-schooled, a number that has been on the rise in recent years.

According to Sazonov, municipalities have limited jurisdiction over homeschooling. However, the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service has raised concerns about the potential for radicalization through homeschooling. The service's national security review suggests that isolated educational settings could foster extremist ideologies, including radical Islamist or far-right teachings.

Helsinki University terrorism researcher Leena Malkki agrees that Finland should not ignore these concerns. She stresses that Finland is a society based on trust, and while supervision and support for homeschooling are not always strict, they are necessary. In Tampere, another city pushing for change, Deputy Mayor Anne-Mari Jussila argues that radicalization risks are not the primary concern. She prefers children to attend school, learning alongside their peers. Tampere currently has approximately 50 home-school pupils.

The Helsinki City Council recently tightened supervision of home-schooled pupils, but Sazonov notes that not all home-school instructors are on board with the additional oversight. Despite some Swedes moving to the Åland Islands for the option of homeschooling, parliamentary groups are calling for mandatory school attendance, with Left Alliance leader Minja Koskela arguing that every child has the right to education.