Pietarsaari to close last Finnish-language primary school in eastern district

The city of Pietarsaari will shut down Itälä School, leaving only one fully Finnish-language primary school in the municipality, a decision that has reignited debates over language equality in the bilingual city, Yle reports.

Parents of Finnish-speaking pupils accuse the city of favouring Swedish-language schools, pointing to longer school commutes and what they describe as unsafe routes for their children. They are now demanding free school transport, arguing that current policies force families into unequal positions based on income.

“It’s unfair that a third-grader has to choose between an unsafe route and a paid ride,” said parent Linda Hautamäki. “Swedish-speaking children have modern schools and safe bike paths, while Finnish-speaking children face long, dangerous walks—especially in winter.”

The city defends the closure, citing declining pupil numbers and the poor condition of the Itälä School building. Juha Paasimäki, head of Finnish-language education, dismissed claims of unequal treatment, noting that Länsinummi School—the remaining Finnish-language primary school—recently underwent a €5 million renovation.

Safety concerns over longer commutes

Most Finnish-speaking families live in Pietarsaari’s eastern districts, while schools are concentrated in the centre or western edge of the city. The closure of Itälä School will force children to travel up to four kilometres, a distance parents call impractical and hazardous.

Laura Leppälä, another parent, said families had chosen homes based on proximity to the local school. “Now they’re facing a four-kilometre commute along dangerous routes,” she said. The city currently offers paid transport only for first- and second-graders travelling over three kilometres, and for older pupils over five kilometres.

City council chair Nina Brännkärr-Friberg (Swedish People’s Party) acknowledged the concerns, stating that adjusting the transport policy—particularly in winter—remains under discussion. The Social Democrats have submitted a motion to expand free transport eligibility.

Declining birth rates drive school closures

The dispute reflects broader demographic shifts. Birth rates in Pietarsaari have plummeted: in 2007, 69 Finnish-speaking children were born, but by 2018–2023, that number halved. Swedish-speaking births fell from 140 to around 80 in the same period. Meanwhile, the number of children with other native languages surpassed Finnish-speakers in 2021.

The city had previously considered closing Itälä School in 2016 but instead shut down Ruusulehto, its smallest Finnish-language school. Mayor Anne Ekstrand admitted in 2022 that balancing the needs of both language groups while maintaining fiscal responsibility was “not easy.”

A temporary solution for Itälä’s pre-schoolers—either relocating them to Länsinummi School or housing them in modular classrooms—remains unresolved.