Finnish society and education system are becoming increasingly unequal. Student demographics have changed radically both in Helsinki and in the other large cities in the twenty-first century. The most important reason for this development is residential segregation. Another significant factor is school shopping, where parents are allowed to pick any school for their children.
Behind the Blackboard is a project that was carried out in collaboration with the educator Lauri Ståhlberg in the spring of 2015. The project focused on two primary schools: one in the centre of Helsinki with a focus on art education, and the other one in a suburb in eastern Helsinki. The project introduces the experiences of the pupils in the two schools with very different student demographics in the context of present-day Finland.
The project was carried out in video workshops where the pupils analysed and reflected on the two school communities. The aim of the workshops was to provide the pupils with a more profound understanding of the social structure of different school communities and the interaction within these communities. Based on the analyses made in the workshops, the pupils developed ways of changing and questioning practices which the pupils considered harmful to their school community.
More information on the project’s website:
www.behindtheblackboard.info