Imatra moves to close Eastern Finland School amid authority dispute with principal Katri Anttila

The principal of the Eastern Finland School, Katri Anttila, is shocked by the city of Imatra’s recent announcement to shut down the institution. According to Anttila, the city does not have the authority to dissolve the school; the decision must come from the foundation that oversees the school’s operations.

Located in Lappeenranta, Imatra, and Joensuu, the Eastern Finland School is a Finnish-Russian institution offering education focused on the Russian language and culture at both elementary and high school levels. Discussions about closing the school have already emerged in Joensuu and Lappeenranta, with Lappeenranta opting not to renew the school’s rental contract, prompting the school to seek new premises.

Imatra estimates that closing the school as an independent entity could save the city €250,000, as municipalities are currently required to pay a local municipality compensation for each student enrolled at Eastern Finland School. A legal assessment from Professor Heikki Halila of the University of Helsinki indicates that the foundation’s law prevents the dissolution of the school without significant justification.

Furthermore, Imatra’s mayor, Matias Hilden, stated there are no obstacles to the closure, asserting the municipality’s financial considerations must be prioritized.

In an effort to continue offering Russian language education, the proposal includes expanding the Koski School Center to provide extensive Russian language instruction, starting from preschool to middle school. Although the restructuring would permit a new enrollment process, Rovio believes space would be available for all current students.

Katri Anttila hopes to negotiate alternative savings options with the city, proposing the possibility of purchasing educational services from the city, which is already happening at the high school level.