The municipal executive decided on February 16, 2026 to overturn the decision of the education committee and, in accordance with the original proposal recorded in the financial balance program, to begin preparing the closure of schools so that Heinäjoki and Vähikkälä schools will be closed in summer 2026, and Tanttala and Virala schools in summer 2027. A decision on the closure of each school will still be prepared separately through the committee and the municipal executive to the municipal council meeting to be held on April 27, 2026.

A web survey will be carried out in the coming weeks for guardians of current pupils and for guardians of children who are now 5–6 years old.

Written requests for statements will be sought, among others, from the parents’ network, the youth council, village associations, committees and the wellbeing services county. In addition, information and discussion events open to everyone will be organized. The dates of these will be announced as soon as arrangements have been agreed.

Materials from the preparation work

Current status of education services (PDF in Finnish), which examines the perspectives of residents/customers, services, finances, infrastructure and personnel. The current situation includes, for example regarding services, a survey of the numbers of pupils in comprehensive schools now and their projected development in the future, as well as the current number of pupils requiring transport. In respect to residents/customers it identifies where in Janakkala school-aged children live and how the numbers of children in the areas are developing. From a financial perspective, unit-specific costs, property expenses and investment needs have been surveyed. Regarding infrastructure, the locations of services have been examined as well as, for example, condition assessments of schools, utilization rates and the functionality of various connections. In respect to personnel, staff retention and availability as well as current person-years have been surveyed.

Teaching quality factors (PDF in Finnish) – the document explains statutory group-based support and its amount in weekly lessons, as well as levels and amounts of individual pupil support. In addition, the document explains the concepts of sensory accessibility and safer space, and goes through student welfare services, the importance of a community for the child, participation and the local school principle.

Financial balancing work in education services (PDF in Finnish) – the report sets out the starting points for the saving targets. The report has reviewed possible savings measures and effects on finances across different functions (open early childhood education, schools’ afternoon activities and comprehensive schools). For schools, the report details unit-level costs for the 2025–2026 school year, Janakkala school buildings’ investment needs for basic renovations and school transport costs.

Pupil forecast 2025–2032 (PDF in Finnish) – the document breaks down pupil forecasts both for Janakkala schools overall and for each school separately.