Finland’s schools resume as new rules reshape the school day

Schools are reopening across much of Finland on Wednesday, with new requirements on physical activity and possible extensions to the mobile phone ban, Yle reports.

Schools are starting in Helsinki, Lahti, Jyväskylä, Joensuu, Oulu and Rovaniemi. Vantaa and Espoo will begin the new school year on Thursday.

Seinäjoki, Pori and Turku began their school year on Tuesday, while schools in Tampere have already been in session for a week.

The new school year brings changes to everyday school life. The mobile phone ban introduced a year ago limits the use of all mobile devices during lessons.

In addition, providers of pre-primary and basic education are now legally required to promote an physically active lifestyle. Terhi Nissinen, head of a unit at the Finnish National Agency for Education, said the change would be visible in the daily routines of every comprehensive school.

Lessons will place greater emphasis on activity, breaks from sitting, games and play. During recess, schools will increase organised activities, including games and play led by teachers and activities in which older pupils lead younger children. Schools will also invest in equipment and games for recess.

Nissinen also urged families to encourage pupils to travel to and from school using physical means, such as walking or cycling.

The mobile device restrictions may become stricter. The law applies to lessons, while the Finnish National Agency for Education has recommended limiting mobile device use either fully or partly during the rest of the school day.

Nissinen said several education providers had already updated, or were updating, their rules. In some places, the restrictions are being extended beyond lessons to recess, mealtimes and transitions between activities. Each education provider makes its own decision on these additional restrictions.