he world of 2020 seems like a cross between a black comedy and a soap opera. A void where nothing positive seems to happen and any injuries are self inflicted and total unnecessary. Only the gods of irony comes out , as they often do, on top, and not so much with a smile, but with a horrid smirk and creepy wink that sends a shiver up even the toughest of spines.
Now those same gods, with intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic, are regarding Jyväskylä with envious eyes, and slowly and surely drew their plans against us.
Monday afternoon (21.9) text messages started arriving to my phone with people dismayed to hear that our children’s heritage language classes are in imminent threat of being cut due to an expected but not yet confirmed deficit in the city’s budget.
Now, leaving aside for the moment that the city’s deficit forecast has reduced on an almost daily basis and isn’t even yet a certainty, and also leaving aside the fact that the state pays 80% of those costs and has already been paid a portion of that cash to the municipality, I want to express my dismay at the obvious shot to foot the city is about inflict on it own reputation.
Heritage language classes or ‘first language classes’ are an essential introductory path for young children that have arrive to Finland with their parents. These children often, sit on the outside of society until they learn the Finnish language and begin their integration. It is a delicate time in their lives. I know this as I have two adopted non Finnish children who are currently going through this very process.
€25,000 euros. This is the sum that is we are talking about.
“Kids like this should be seen in the same way that a child with a talent for sport is taken aside, developed and trained.
That small percentage that the city contributes to the classes easily pays themselves back in ways that are not obvious to a sitting education committee. Language is a central part of identity which is important in a child’s emotional wellbeing and development, saving money later down the line in potential mental health care costs and more if left neglected.
It also serves as a platform from which Finnish can be learned. Without a proper understanding of key linguistic concepts in their original language, Finnish becomes harder to learn and that weight falls unfairly upon the shoulders of primary school teachers, who it turn require further materials, which surprise, surprise costs money.
In our modern economy a child with a foundation in a foreign language is an asset that needs to be nurtured and harnessed. Having such a head start in an area of education that Finland prizes and prides itself on, can only be seen as a gift and any city that receives such a child should jump on that opportunity and not throw it aside. Kids like this should be seen in the same way that a child with a talent for sport is taken aside, developed and trained.
Sports, something else Jyväskylä is also known for.
But hey! You don’t need to take my word for this opinion, the opetus hallitus has spoken often about the high value attributed to such schemes:
“Oma äidinkieli on kuitenkin avain tärkeimpiin sosiaalisiin suhteisiin ja merkittävä identiteetin osa. Lapsen kokema oman kielen ja kulttuurin arvostus vaikuttaa siihen, miten olennaiselta toisen kielen, esimerkiksi suomen kielen oppiminen tuntuu. Oman äidinkielen taito ennustaa oppilaan muiden kielten oppimista. Hyvä oman äidinkielen osaa- minen tukee myös muiden aineiden opiskelua.
Kieli on voimavara sekä kielen käyttäjälle että ympä- röivälle yhteiskunnalle. Jokainen äidinkieli on arvokas ja suojelun arvoinen.Oma äidinkieli on kuitenkin avain tärkeimpiin sosiaalisiin suhteisiin ja merkittävä identiteetin osa. Lapsen kokema oman kielen ja kulttuurin arvostus vaikuttaa siihen, miten olennaiselta toisen kielen, esimerkiksi suomen kielen oppiminen tuntuu. Oman äidinkielen taito ennustaa oppilaan muiden kielten oppimista. Hyvä oman äidinkielen osaa- minen tukee myös muiden aineiden opiskelua.
Kieli on voimavara sekä kielen käyttäjälle että ympä- röivälle yhteiskunnalle. Jokainen äidinkieli on arvokas ja suojelun arvoinen.”
So, we must then ask if other municipalities are cutting from their heritage language classes? I can’t imagine why they would. Why, in a country that presents itself as an example of equality and good common sense to the world, would another city set themselves on a course that deliberately disadvantages minorities, waste valuable, pre-made human potential and in turn distribute the considerably higher long term costs across every departments in the city.
For this the sake of 25,000 euros.
True, serious minded leaders would plan for long term goals that may stretch out further than their time in the office. I understand the situation that this cursed year has placed upon us all, but considering the minute costs needed here in relation to savings made in the years to come, this is, as they say : A no brainer.
Jyväskylä, I assume wishes to grow in size and regard, they will find it hard to progress forward if it wishes to shoot itself in the foot.