The officials of the cities of Lappeenranta, Joensuu and Imatra propose to their city councils that the operations of the School of Eastern Finland be discontinued. This jointly prepared proposal stems from the need for the cities to adapt their service network to the number of children. The rationale behind the proposal is the decrease in the number of pupils in the cities' schools.

"The school network must be adapted to our declining birth rates and predictions regarding the number of children. We are currently engaged in making a more extensive review of our school network as a part of economic adaptation. The results of the review will be placed before the officials later in the spring. In the case of the School of Eastern Finland, the proposal is being fast-tracked as the school is managed by a foundation owned by the three cities," says Jani Kaasinen, Director of Education and Wellbeing in the City of Joensuu.

The school, which currently operates in the area of the three cities, is managed by the Finnish-Russian School of Eastern Finland Foundation founded by the cities of Lappeenranta, Imatra and Joensuu. Decisions regarding the operation of the school fall within the authority of the Board of Directors. The Board consists of members appointed by the cities of Lappeenranta, Joensuu and Imatra, LUT University and the University of Eastern Finland. The cities finance the school's operations indirectly through the municipality of residence reimbursement.

Closing down the School of Eastern Finland would have a significant positive effect on the finances of the cities and their ability to secure the extent and quality of their service network for children and young people. The cities emphasise that the change in the number of pupils must be viewed in the light of the service network and all the children covered by the city's services.

"It goes without saying that the school closing down will be stressful for the pupils and their caregivers. However, we must view the school network as a whole in order to ensure that our resources remain sufficient for quality teaching in the future as well," says Kaasinen.

The proposed change is also motivated by the possibility of smooth implementation. The change can be implemented