Tohmajärvi school wants to make Russian an alternative to Swedish
An experimental programme to teach Russian at the upper level of comprehensive school in the municipality of Tohmajärvi has received extensive corporate support in Northern Karelia.
Teaching Russian as a "B language", as an alternative to Swedish - Finland's second official language - requires authorisation from the Ministry of Education. A final application for the experimental programme is currently under preparation. Supporters of the project will bring the application to Helsinki early in June.
"At our school Russian is currently the exclusive right of foreigners who have moved from Russia. Native-born Finns do not learn it, even though the need is great. We want Finns to learn Russian as well", says Arto Juntunen, head teacher at the Tietäväinen School in Tohmajärvi.
If permission is granted, the teaching programme will begin in Tohmajärvi next autumn. Regional authorities say that there is a shortage of people who can speak Russian in the area; export companies are having difficulties finding business school graduates with a knowledge of Russian.
Matti Vuojärvi, managing director of the North Karelian Entrepreneurs' Association, notes that Tohmajärvi has the Niirala border crossing, which is used by about a million people a year, approximately half of whom are Russian.
There is strong demand for Russian-speaking personnel in local retail stores and car repair shops, for instance. Most shops already have sales staff who speak Russian, but more are needed.
In addition to tourists, Tohmajärvi has a large number of Russian-speaking residents. Statistics show that it has the highest proportion of Russian-speakers in Finland. The new immigrants tend to be young, which is important for a rural community whose average age is otherwise rising inexorably.
In nearby Kitee, Ulla Immonen, the chairwoman of the municipal board, is a strong supporter of Tohmajärvi's plan. In August, the construction of a spa is beginning in Syrjäsalmi in Kitee. The facility will cater largely to a Russian clientèle.
"Russia is a growing language in Central Karelia. The Tohmajärvi project does not sound bad at all", says Immonen.
Voicing similar views is Markku Lappalainen, Municipal Mayor of Ilomantsi. "The Russian language has a special significance for a municipality with a border crossing."
Joensuu MP Pekka Ravi (Nat. Coalition Party) welcomes Tohmajärvi's application in that the pupils involved will be offered the possibility of studying Swedish as an elective subject.
Two other North Karelian Members of Parliament - Lauri Kähkönen (SDP) and Eero Reijonen (Centre) also support the Tohmajärvi experiment.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 1.6.2007 - TODAY |
 Tohmajärvi school wants to make Russian an alternative to Swedish |
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