Old school furniture from Kuopio finds new life in Estonian classrooms

Hundreds of desks, chairs, and other school equipment from Kuopio’s Pirtin school, slated for disposal during a relocation, have been donated to schools in Pärnu County, Estonia, reports Yle.

The furniture, including 350 desks, 575 chairs, 120 tables, cabinets, shelves, lockers, coat racks, and teaching aids, was transported by volunteers to Estonia, where schools face shortages due to defense spending priorities amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Pärnu’s Rotary Club secretary Garri Raagmaa said budget constraints have forced cuts in education resources, particularly in smaller schools. The donated materials will support around 350 students across 30 schools in the region, many of which host Ukrainian refugees.

Rotary project manager Matti Miettinen credited a broad network of Finnish businesses, sports clubs, school staff, and private individuals for coordinating the effort.