Most Middle School Students in Finland Face Racism
A new study conducted by the University of Helsinki has highlighted the growing prevalence of racism in Finnish lower secondary schools, revealing that the issue is not being systematically addressed. According to the research, four out of five non-white students reported encountering racism at school.
The four-year project, funded by the Academy of Finland, collected data from 14 classes across seven lower secondary schools in southern Finland. Students said they often received little emotional support after experiencing racism, while two-thirds of teachers stated that structural racism exists in schools, and four in five reported witnessing direct racist incidents. The study found that responses to racism varied between schools, with responsibility often falling on individuals rather than institutions. Many teachers emphasized the need for clear guidelines, particularly on how to respond to racist bullying.