Survey finds rise in violence against teachers in Finland

Katarina Murto, president of the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ), at OAJ's start of the school year briefing in Helsinki. According to OAJ's workplace survey, violence against teachers has increased. Photo: Jade Silpo / Lehtikuva

Education

Violence against teachers and education staff has increased in Finland, with incidents reported most often in comprehensive schools and early childhood education, according to a new workplace survey published by the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ).

The union said the findings point to growing safety concerns in schools and childcare settings, despite improvements in overall job satisfaction and workplace leadership.

One in five respondents working in comprehensive schools said they had been subjected to violence by a pupil. The figure rose to 21 per cent in the 2026 survey, up from 17 per cent in 2024.