School network

Municipal executive decided on 16.2.2026 to overturn the education committee’s decision and, in accordance with the original proposal recorded in the financial balancing program, to initiate preparations for the closure of schools so that Heinäjoki and Vähikkälä schools are closed in summer 2026 and Tanttala and Virala schools in summer 2027. A closure decision for each school will still be prepared separately through the committee and the municipal executive to the council meeting to be held on April 27, 2026.

Process

Information and discussion sessions (in Finnish)

NOTE! The sessions have exactly the same content.

WED Mar 18, 17:30–20:00 Kiipula Hall, Kiipula (Kiipulantie 507)
>>The area map can be found on Kiipula’s page, marked site 4 on the map

MON Mar 23, 17:30–20:00 Community Hall, Tervakoski (Seuranaukio 3)
There will be a retirees’ café at the event

THU Mar 26, 17:30–20:00 School Centre Välkky, Turenki (Koulutie 2)
There will be an international students’ café at the event

At the sessions you will receive more information about the background of the school network change and the preparation of the closures, and there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion with elected officials and municipal officials. Welcome!

Opinions

An opinion on the matter can be submitted by email to the register office at kirjaamo@janakkala.fi by March 31, 2026 at 16:00. Use the subject: Statement on the school network preparations.

Requests for statements

Requests for statements were sent to the relevant parties on March 2-3, 2026. Comments are due by March 22, 2026.
Support association for Tanttala village and school
Virala village association
Heinäjoki village society
Vähikkälän Väljämä
Youth council
Oma Häme
Technical committee
Welfare committee
Local branches of trade unions
In addition, the topic will be discussed in the Parents’ Network on March 11, 2026.

Parent survey

A survey was sent on March 3, 2026 to the guardians of current pupils and to guardians of future children currently aged 5–6. Responses can be submitted until March 17, 2026.

Child impact assessment

Children will be consulted at the schools during weeks 9 and 10.

Open days for elected officials to visit the schools

Virala school Mon, Mar 16, 15:30–17:00
Tarinmaa school Mon, Mar 16, 17:15–18:45
Tanttala school Thu, Mar 19, 15:30–17:00
Heinäjoki school Thu, Mar 19, 17:30–19:00
Turenki school Tue, Mar 31, 15:30–17:00
Leppäkoski school Tue, Mar 31, 17:30–19:00
Vähikkälä school Wed, Apr 1, 15:30–17:00
Tervakoski school Wed, Apr 1, 17:30–19:00

Materials from the study (in Finnish)

Current state of education services (PDF) NOTE! THIS DOCUMENT IS PART OF PRELIMINARY DATA COLLECTION FROM OCTOBER 2025. IT IS NOT MATERIAL FOR DECISION-MAKING. THE DATA AND CALCULATIONS WILL BE UPDATED FOR DECISION-MAKING.
The examination perspective covers residents/customers, services, finances, infrastructure and staff. The current state includes, among other things, mapping pupil numbers in comprehensive schools now and their future development, as well as the current number of pupils using school transport. In terms of residents/customers, it defines where in Janakkala school-aged children live and how the numbers of children in the areas will develop. In terms of finances, unit-specific costs, property expenses and investment needs have been mapped. In terms of infrastructure, service locations have been examined as well as, for example, school condition assessments, utilization rates and the functioning of various connections. In terms of staff, staff retention and availability have been mapped as well as the current person-years.

Quality factors of teaching (PDF) – the document explains statutory group-based support and its amount in weekly hours, as well as the levels and amounts of pupil-specific support. In addition, the document explains the concepts of sensory accessibility and safer space, and it reviews student welfare services, the importance of the community for the child, participation and the neighbourhood school principle.

Financial balancing work in the educational division (PDF) – the report sets out the starting points for the savings targets. The report reviews possible saving measures and their effects on finances for different functions (open early childhood education, school after-school activities and comprehensive schools). For schools, the report presents unit-specific costs for the 2025–2026 school year, the investment needs of Janakkala school buildings in terms of refurbishments and school transport costs.

Pupil projection 2025-2032 (PDF) – the document details pupil forecasts both for Janakkala schools overall and for each school separately.