New survey reveals decline in reported bullying by adults at Uusikaupunki school
A follow-up survey at Wintterin School in Uusikaupunki shows fewer students now report being bullied by staff compared to last year, according to a new investigation by Finnish public broadcaster Yle.
In April, Yle reported that one in four 8th and 9th graders at the school had experienced bullying by an adult staff member in the previous year’s school health survey. Students described inappropriate behaviour, including unwanted physical contact, by a specific adult.
A new survey conducted this spring indicates a reduction in such incidents. Of 417 respondents—85% of the school’s upper-level students—18.9% reported experiencing bullying by an adult, with 85 students describing specific situations. This marks a decrease from the previous year’s figures.
Common complaints in the survey
Students highlighted issues such as:
– Humiliation in front of the class, unjustified shouting, and mocking answers
– Favouritism, singling out certain students, and public criticism of private matters
– Forced removal from classrooms, unnecessary disciplinary notes, and punishment for unclear reasons
– Unwanted physical contact, including sudden touching without consent
Education director Arja Kitola acknowledged shortcomings in the school’s reporting procedures, noting that guidelines for addressing misconduct were unclear. Improvements are planned, including clearer feedback practices for teachers and reinforced principles for maintaining a safe environment.
Kitola declined to specify whether the survey addressed the previously reported physical contact or if the same staff member was mentioned. The investigation remains ongoing, and she emphasised the strain the issue has placed on staff, despite most being highly professional.
“Every workplace occasionally sees raised voices or inappropriate behaviour,” Kitola said. “As an educational community, we must set an example, but we are human and sometimes make mistakes.”
The school has held workshops with students to review the survey responses and discuss necessary changes.