Espoo schools report alarming levels of violence with 19 schools at high or intolerable risk

A new assessment report reveals a troubling increase in violence across Espoo’s primary and lower secondary schools, with 19 schools classified as having a high or intolerable risk of violence, Yle reports.

The report, covering Espoo’s Finnish-language basic education, states that both threats and actual incidents of violence—including physical altercations such as hitting and kicking—have become more frequent, in some cases occurring daily. Staff intervening in these situations are also exposed to physical and psychological violence.

Out of Espoo’s 70 Finnish-language comprehensive schools, 19 were identified as having a severe or unsustainable risk level. Ten of these are primary schools (grades 1–6), eight are unified comprehensive schools (grades 1–9), and one is a lower secondary school (grades 7–9).

Juha Nurmi, director of basic education in Espoo, attributes the rise in violence to two key factors: a growing number of students requiring intensive support and a decline in children’s social skills. Many violent incidents involve students with developmental disabilities or autism, whose ability to regulate behavior is limited. Nurmi notes that these specialized support groups have expanded significantly in recent years, with some classrooms requiring a 1:6 teacher-to-student ratio plus additional assistants.

However, the issue extends beyond these groups. “The social skills of children entering school appear weaker than before,” Nurmi says, citing reduced face-to-face interaction due to excessive screen time. “When children spend more time staring at smartphones, they miss opportunities to develop essential social skills through direct interaction with peers and adults.”

To address the problem, Espoo is investing in prevention. Staff receive training to de-escalate conflicts, and individualized safety plans are created for at-risk students. The city is also strengthening collaboration with the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County to establish protocols for handling severely violent cases, including when healthcare professionals should intervene.

Despite the challenges, Nurmi emphasizes that Espoo’s schools remain safe overall. A recent staff survey indicated high well-being among teachers, with job satisfaction at record levels. “Even though teaching can be demanding, it’s also highly rewarding,” he says.

The City Council’s Education and Growth Committee will review the full assessment report in its meeting today.