School helps immigrants integrate 

This article has originally been published in the Espoo Magazine 3/2022.

Read other articles in the Espoo Magazine 3/2022

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Ukrainian young people have quickly adapted to the routines of preparatory education in Espoo. 

Ivan Ratushniuk, 13, arrived in Espoo from Ukraine on 12 March. One month later, he began school at Eestinkallion koulu. Ivan enjoys football and swimming and says that he has already made many friends. 

“School has been good. There are interesting subjects, and the teaching groups are smaller than I am used to. I particularly like the Kahoot! learning game.” 

Class teacher Ahti Naukkarinen says that Ivan has progressed rapidly. 

“His skills and knowledge are good, but above all he has the right attitude. Ivan is a balancing and constructive influence in our group. Pupils like this are worth their weight in gold.”  

Preparatory education in groups is intended for immigrant pupils. The focus is on the Finnish language and on the routines of Finnish school education. All Espoo schools were notified of the need to provide school places for children and young people from Ukraine. 

“We had room in our groups. We were able to accommodate four children of primary school age from Ukraine in the spring,” says Naukkarinen. 

“Trust is crucial for everything in these groups.” 

In the autumn, Ivan will enter seventh grade in the preparatory education group at Kaitaan koulu. However, he is looking much further ahead: he wants to become a surgeon when he grows up.