Study Supports Launch of English-Language Education in Rovaniemi – Could Begin in 2026 at the Earliest

Students in the English-language class would not be required to speak Finnish, but they would participate in Finnish as a Second Language and Literature (S2) instruction.

A recent study gives the green light for Rovaniemi to begin offering basic education entirely in English.

The initiative is driven by the growing number of non-Finnish-speaking students.

According to the study commissioned by the Rovaniemi Education Committee, English-language education is seen as an attractive feature that could help bring top international professionals to Rovaniemi.

The study suggests that English-language education could begin at the earliest in the 2026–2027 academic year.

"English-language basic education would nicely complement the existing offerings and provide a high-quality educational path from basic to upper secondary education in the international city of Rovaniemi," says Jussi Kainulainen, Acting Head of Educational Services for the City of Rovaniemi.

Teaching Would Take Place at Ounasrinne Comprehensive School

The study recommends organizing English-language basic education at Ounasrinne Comprehensive School, in close cooperation with the current bilingual program.

Ounasrinne Comprehensive School has been offering bilingual basic education since autumn 2022, with half of the instruction in Finnish and the other half in English. Additionally, the IB high school has provided English-language upper secondary education for 20 years.

The planned English-language program would be intended for students whose mother tongue is English or who have sufficient English skills to manage the studies. Students in the English-language class would not be required to speak Finnish, but they would participate in Finnish as a Second Language and Literature (S2) instruction.

A final decision on starting English-language basic education has not yet been made. The next step will be a more detailed study that will clarify aspects such as the curriculum, learning materials, teacher recruitment, and more.