Authorities Warn of Secret Extremist Home-schools in Helsinki

The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service, known as Supo, has warned that some home-based schools are a threat to national security. Juha Martelius, the head of Supo, says children in these settings are being taught to hate society.

The agency is now pushing the government to change the law. They want to make it mandatory for all children to attend physical school buildings.

Under current Finnish law, education is compulsory, but going to a school building is not. This allows parents to teach their children at home without much supervision.

Martelius pointed to Sweden as a model for Finland. Sweden changed its laws years ago to require children to be in a classroom.

In 2010, Sweden passed a strict Education Act that effectively banned homeschooling. Since then, many families have moved to Finland to continue home education.

In Finland, the number of homeschooled children is small but growing. About 1,000 children are educated at home today, compared to only 500 just three years ago.

The rise in homeschooling began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many families realized they preferred the flexibility of remote learning and never returned to the classroom.

Supo says that while most families choose this for health reasons, a dangerous trend is emerging. Some far-right families from Sweden are moving to the Åland Islands to use Finland’s flexible laws.

Terrorism researcher Leena Malkki told the national broadcaster YLE that Finland has always operated on a system of trust. She believes the government has not been strict enough in supervising home education.

The Left Alliance party is already supporting the call for change. Party leader Minja Koskela told YLE that every child has a right to be part of a school community.

However, Martelius admitted that most young people are radicalized online. Social media remains a bigger risk than any specific school setting.