Teacher trainees in Finland demand enhanced training on school safety following Vantaa incident

Teacher trainees in Finland are seeking more information on how to respond if a threatening individual is present in schools. Following a tragic incident last spring in which a student shot three classmates at Viertola School in Vantaa—resulting in one fatality and two serious injuries—concerns and inquiries among students have intensified. The Finnish student teachers’ association and the university responsible for teacher training have reported this rising awareness.

Mira Laurinantti, a sixth-year elementary education student at the University of Tampere and chair of the student teachers’ association, highlights that discussions regarding workplace safety have surged since the spring event. She notes that the training programs often do not extensively cover threats originating from outside the school.

In response to these concerns, Jyväskylä Normal School has enhanced its focus on safety measures. Vice Principal Mika Antola describes three significant initiatives taken at the school. First, safety cabinets have been installed in the elementary classrooms, equipped with essential supplies for emergency situations. Second, safety drills for students, staff, and trainees are conducted twice a year to ensure preparedness. Third, the school is increasing collaboration with other local educational institutions to standardize safety protocols.

Moreover, Jyväskylä University is expanding its approach to safety education within teacher training programs, integrating discussions of external threats into the curriculum. Program director Sirpa Eskelä-Haapanen emphasizes the importance of addressing students’ concerns and ensuring they know how to seek information about safety plans from school administrators.

Through these initiatives, both universities and schools aim to better equip future teachers to handle potential threats and ensure the safety of their students and themselves.