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Home NATIONALPolitical parties assure no more cut in education budget
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Sun, 25 Jan, 2015 12:08:32 AM
FTimes – STT Report, Jan 25

The country’s major political parties have promised no further cuts in education budget during the next parliamentary term.

The parties are also in agreement on the need to restore equality in education.

The promise was made at the Educa National Training Event for Educators held at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre to hear election promises by party leaders.

Vasemmistoliito (Left Alliance) Chair Paavo Arhinmäki said increased shopping for schools by parents, especially in the capital city region, should be brought under control and local schools be made more attractive.

Traditionally, primary education has been seen as equal, with pupils from variety of backgrounds sharing the same classroom.

Arhinmäki said those who opt to join schools other than local ones should have a legitimate reason, such as language choice or music class, for doing it.

In addition to equality, education will be enhanced through provision of tablets or electronic papers.

The Green Party will invest, for instance, in life-long education and support for immigrants learning in their own language.

Ville Niinistö, chair of the Vihreä Liitö (Green League), said he is interested in the education portfolio, in case the Greens are in the next government.

Many teachers gathered at the Educa National Training Event for Educators.

In addition to equality, all the leaders believe that reduction of class sizes is important.

Kansallinen Kokoomus Deputy Chair Sanni Grahn-Laasonen (National Coalition Party) held that reduction of class sizes is important, but could not make promises in the context of the current economic situation.

“Small classrooms are costly and municipalities should be provided with resources,” said Laasonen.

Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) leader Juha Sipilä believes new legislation should not be passed, but instead the old ones should be dismantled.

“That would be additional cost, and that cannot be promised in the current economic situation,” remarked Sipilä.

Antti Rinne, leader of the Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland), said additional reconstruction cost is not possible.

Kimmo Kivelä of Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) recommended that the maximum number of pupils in grades 1-4 should be set at 18 and in 5-9 grades at 24.

Anna-Maja Henriksson, vice chair of the Suomen ruotsalainen kansanpuolue (Swedish People’s Party of Finland), pointed out that good students should get support and that neither is guaranteed by a small classroom.

 

 
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