At Äänekoski, the students were involved in creating new operating methods for the schools
At Äänekoski, they want to let young people have a direct influence on matters that concern them.
The city of Äänekoski is involved in the national Ministry of Education and Culture's Engaging School Community Project. Nine municipalities are involved in the Central Finland pilot project and it is managed by the city of Äänekoski. The goal is to reduce and prevent the absences of 5th-9th graders and to create a positive operating culture that supports attachment to school.
In Äänekoski, together with students, parents, teachers and partners, the operating instructions for absences have been updated, which has been implemented in all basic education since the beginning of the year.
At Koulunmäki unified school, nine students participated in the hearing, and from Suolahti unified school, 29 students participated. The students were asked, among other things, what adults should be able to pay attention to in connection with the absences of a young person, when and what kind of absences should be addressed, what should be done first and how to act if the absences continue.
A similar Wilma survey was also conducted for parents and teachers, to which 211 responses were received. The answers of parents and teachers were similar to those of the students. The guidelines were also modified based on the ideas received from the partners.
The finished action guide was reviewed with the young people and parents and teachers were asked for comments on it through the Wilma survey. 128 responses were received.
"For once we are asked"
The young people of Koulunmäki and Suolahti unified schools feel that they have been heard.
- Now those of us who know about it were asked, a middle school student Aaro Kankainen thank.
- Here, we young people were listened to, Saara Kinnunen more.
- Once we were asked, Antti Ritvanen more.
- We feel equal when we are listened to. That adults don't decide everything for us, Nella Ilves inches.
- Adults don't necessarily always understand young people, Josefina Paatelainen says.
- Many of my friends have also said that it is good when our opinion has been asked, Tuuli Parkkonen says.
Although absenteeism does not affect the majority of young people, it is a phenomenon familiar to students. The final result has already been presented to the students in the classes. - And it looked exactly like what we had talked about, Parkkonen is happy.
Project coordinator, corresponding school curator Mira Ojalehton according to the young people participated enthusiastically and there were plenty of perspectives.
- The young people felt that for once we are asked and we get to participate in the right thing and truly influence the matter that concerns us.
The students' opinions and comments showed that they considered addressing absences important. Young people hope that they will be dealt with personally and tactfully first.
- It is good that absences are dealt with, but it should not be dealt with too harshly, explains Josefiina Paatelainen.
- Not everyone wants stranger adults to interfere in a young person's affairs, Aaro Kankainen thinks.
- But it is understandable that this is preventive work and we are cared for, Tuuli Parkkonen adds.
Absences are examined more systematically
- It is important to develop practices that harmonize the monitoring and statistics of absences, says Mira Ojalehto. - The goal is that the new uniform operating instructions improve the possibilities of offering the student support as early as possible. Absences of any kind, even minor ones, can weaken attachment to the school community and lower the threshold to stay at home more easily in the future.
The number of absenteeism among young people has increased nationally.
- There are more and more prolonged student absences, and the corona situation has also affected it, the assistant principal, special education teacher involved in the project Katariina Lievonen says.
- The situation is mapped out immediately, even if the reason is the usual sickness absence. Now the reason why the student is absent is not specified. The new guidelines are also clearer for teachers, says Leivonen.
- This has been a project that is strongly related to my own work and which is useful in my own work, also states the assistant principal, language teacher Tuija Kinnunen.
The national model will become a part of every school's everyday life
- In a prosperous school, everyone is doing well and there are better opportunities for attachment. In any case, Äänekoski has invested in the well-being of the schools, Katariina Lievonen states.
- At Äänekoski, the focus in dealing with absences is the development of multitasking. In that too, participation is at the center, says Mira Ojalehto.
Next, the functionality and use of the operating model is to be monitored. In May, OKM issues national recommendations that guide the national monitoring of absences and further activities in the project during the years 2022-2023. Changes to legislation and curriculum basics are also expected.
- In an important matter, you have been involved in creating new ways of working, Mira Ojalehto tells the young people. - It's really cool when you've been able to participate in something that will be used widely and for a long time, says Nella Ilves.
The development of binding school community work is also part of the implementation of the Ministry of Education and Culture's anti-bullying action program.
Additional information:
Coordinator of the binding school community work project, responsible school curator Mira Ojalehto, 040 846 2907, mira.ojalehto@aanekoski.fi
News published 17.3.2022
