Education

As the chairperson of the board for Förbundet Hem och Skola (the Federation of Home and School Associations), as the chair of the board and class parent in my children´s school for many years, as a member of the Helsinki Education Committee and chair of its Swedish section, as vice chair of the board at the vocational institute Prakticum, and by having worked as a science teacher at Arcada University of Applied Sciences, I have gained valuable insight into the prerequisites for creating the best possible education.

Helsinki should strive for being the world´s most family-friendly city. This means that daily life should run smoothly for families with children, which requires a sufficiently dense network of well-functioning daycare centers and schools.

In today´s world, high competence and ambition in education are necessary to secure our democratic society, our prosperity, and our success. To create a safe and inspiring learning environment, the wellbeing of children, students, and staff in education is crucial.

All children and young people should have the same opportunities to succeed in school, regardless of background. This requires qualified staff and more trusted adults in schools, as well as active measures for inclusion, equality, and preventive efforts against bullying, exclusion, and segregation. The mental health of children and young people needs to be strengthened through very low-threshold support services. Mobile phone use must be limited, also during breaks. We must further improve cooperation between home and school, with a particular focus on including immigrant families.

The city must take its ownership responsibility for the role and attractiveness of Swedish-language vocational education and increase the opportunity to study through apprenticeships.

The staff´s resilience, well-being, and work satisfaction deserve special focus; they are of utmost importance for the development and learning of children and young people.