The Lukiopaja in Espoo supports the students’ functional capacity and prevents interruption of studies
The Lukiopaja provides support to young people studying at Finnish-language daytime general upper secondary schools in Espoo whose studies are not progressing sufficiently. The young people studying at the Lukiopaja often face challenges in coping and life management due to mental health issues, neurodivergence or difficult situations in their life. The students are directed to the Lukiopaja by the staff of their own upper secondary school.
The aim of the Lukiopaja is to improve study skills, progress studies, prevent their interruption and increase the students’ functional capacity, self-knowledge and social skills. The Lukiopaja promotes a positive attitude in a challenging life situation. One student describes their experience of the Lukiopaja: “My studies were not interrupted, and I felt that maybe I could do this after all, studying at the Lukiopaja in the spring gave me hope and really lifted me from the bottom.”
At the Lukiopaja, students study for one to three school periods. The aim is for their studies to continue at their own general upper secondary school after the Lukiopaja period. The Lukiopaja charts the student's overall situation and looks for individual methods and operating methods to support them. "The Lukiopaja saved me, and I’m not exaggerating. It’s a safe and peaceful learning environment where, in my own experience, there is no threshold for asking for help", explains a young person who has studied at the Lukiopaja.
The Lukiopaja is located in Leppävaara at Veräjäpellonkatu 6. In addition to a special needs teacher and community instructor, an education and rehabilitation dog works there a few times a week to support the wellbeing of young people.
Enquiries
Kaisa Hotari, special needs teacher, +358 40 6365334, kaisa.hotari@opetus.espoo.fi
Virpi Torkki, community instructor, +358 40 6343585, virpi.torkki@espoo.fi
