Vantaa board weighs cuts as protesters warn arts students may lose places

Protesters gathered outside Vantaa City Hall on Monday to oppose cuts to foundational arts education, as the city board prepared to consider the outcome of negotiations that could lead to 122 layoffs, Yle reported.

The board’s meeting was due to begin at 1 p.m. The planned job cuts include teachers at the Vantaa Music Institute and Vantaa School of Visual Arts.

Protesters said the layoffs could result in students losing their places and the city losing government funding tied to teaching hours. Milla von Weissenberg, an employee representative for teachers at the two institutions, said the cuts would conflict with the city’s stated commitment to supporting children’s and young people’s hobbies.

The city says the changes will not reduce the state grant received by the music institute. It also says its plans aim to minimise effects on services for residents.

The Finnish Education Union, OAJ, has also criticised cuts to foundational arts education. It says similar layoffs and other adjustment measures are being planned in several other municipalities. OAJ argues that teacher layoffs reduce instruction and, in turn, the state funding municipalities receive. The union’s senior specialist Hannele Louhelainen said municipalities risk losing several euros in funding for every euro saved.