Finnish school survey reveals widespread reports of adult bullying in schools

A significant number of Finnish students report being bullied by school staff, according to the latest School Health Promotion Study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), though some municipalities question whether students may be misinterpreting disciplinary actions as bullying.

The survey, conducted last spring, defines bullying as school employees causing distress to students through words or actions. In some regions, nearly half of upper secondary school students—grades 8 and 9—reported experiencing such treatment.

In Joutsa, Central Finland, 45 percent of respondents said they had been bullied by an adult at school. Mika Sirkka, director of welfare and education, noted that while the issue has been discussed in student welfare teams and staff meetings, the results should be interpreted cautiously. “The School Health Promotion Study is a key data source, but we’ve observed over the years that the reliability of responses can vary,” Sirkka said. He suggested that ninth-graders, some of whom had faced frequent detentions, may have been particularly critical in their answers. A follow-up school climate survey in autumn indicated a decrease in reported bullying.

In Kinnula, also in Central Finland, 46 percent of students—from a small sample of under 40—reported adult bullying. Education director Niko Aihio said specific cases could not be disclosed to protect privacy in the small community. Staff have reviewed interaction practices and clarified assessment transparency for students. Aihio added that students might perceive disciplinary measures or communication challenges as bullying, even when that is not the intent.

In Asikkala, Päijät-Häme, 38 percent of students reported bullying, often linked to teachers’ language use. Education director Petri Haapanen said investigations revealed instances of inappropriate remarks and unequal treatment based on preconceived expectations. “We’re making necessary changes to adult behavior,” he stated, emphasizing immediate intervention in cases of discrimination or unprofessional comments.

In Inari, Lapland, 37 percent of upper secondary students reported bullying, which education director Ilkka Korhonen attributed partly to interpersonal dynamics in small schools. “Chemistry doesn’t always match, and some may find that distressing,” he said, noting that similar results had appeared in past surveys. The issue has been addressed with both staff and students.

Jenni Helenius, development manager for the School Health Promotion Study, explained that the question aims to gauge how often students feel mistreated by school adults. The phenomenon has been studied in three survey rounds so far.