Community or a Wall, what do we find upon arrival at school as a parent?

Have you ever felt like the school system is a walled enclosure, and you're on the outside looking in? I know I have. Growing up, I went to a school that felt like a family. I made lifelong friends there, and even my mother's friends nowadays are from that time. When my parents moved to a new city, their children's school became the place for integration.

My perception so far is that Finnish schools are not like that. I've talked to other parents, both Finnish and foreign, that have felt the same way. Their kids have started school, and they've struggled to feel welcomed and part of the school community. In the past, schools were often located in smaller communities where everybody knew each other. However, nowadays, you might end up not knowing your kids' teachers, let alone the classmates.

It's hard to watch your child struggle with issues like bullying and feel like you can’t do anything about it. Not all problems can be solved individually by talking with your child and the teacher. Some issues require a community effort, and it's hard to make that happen when you don't know anyone in the school. For example, when bullying takes place bystanders play an important role and, in such cases, it's crucial to have a sense of community where all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and students, work together to resolve the problem.

When a school feels like a precinct, it creates a barrier between the parents and the school community, leading to a lack of communication, trust, and support. Not being fluent in Finnish, often I felt like I was on the outside looking in and it was frustrating. The worst was knowing that there was a missed opportunity to create, through daycares and schools, a much needed sense of community in our area. The school plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and promoting inclusivity by bringing together students from diverse backgrounds. By providing a safe and supportive environment, schools can help fight against segregation and encourage socialisation among students. This can lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures and perspectives.

At the same time, it's important for the community to support the school in addressing issues such as bullying and school vandalism. When the community is involved in these efforts, it sends a message that negative behaviours will not be tolerated and that everyone is responsible for creating a positive and safe learning environment. By working together, schools and parents can promote a culture of respect and responsibility, which benefits all members of society, not just students. As such, it's important for community members to have a space in school-related activities.When parents are involved and we have a sense of community, we can help each other out.

Despite being one of the best educational systems in the world, the Finnish education system could benefit from more parental involvement at all levels. Unfortunately, the traditional Finnish school system is built on the idea that children are primarily the responsibility of the school, not the parents. This has led to a lack of communication and collaboration between parents and teachers, resulting in a disconnect between families and schools.

It's important to remember that parent involvement doesn't just benefit our children, but it also benefits the schools, the education system and the society as a whole.

So, what is your experience both in Finland and abroad? Have you found yourself in a school that feels like a family or have you encountered a wall?