Vanhempainillat

Vanhempainillat are organized events in Finnish schools designed to strengthen cooperation between families and the school. They are commonly arranged for each class or grade level and may occur once or twice during a school year, often in autumn and spring. The purpose is to provide parents with information about the curriculum, teaching methods, assessment practices, and the child’s progress, while offering a forum for questions and discussions with teachers. In primary and lower secondary education, these evenings typically include a group presentation about the year's goals, how learning is evaluated, and ways families can support learning at home, followed by possibilities for individual discussions.

The format and content of vanhempainillat vary by school and municipality, but they commonly combine a short class-level session with opportunities for personal meetings. Activity may include sample work or portfolios to illustrate what students are learning, guidance on study routines and skills, and information about well-being and school services. Some schools also allow students to participate or to accompany their parents in parts of the event.

Participation aims to foster open communication, help parents understand the learning goals and assessment criteria, and enable timely support for students who need it. Challenges can include scheduling conflicts or language barriers, so many schools offer sessions in multiple languages or provide interpreters, and may provide flexible formats to improve accessibility for families.