Script, Direction, and Performer: Anna-Mari Laulumaa
Featuring: Jouni Huhtaniemi
Lighting: Arto Saarelainen

The creation of the Finnish folk school system was a great cultural undertaking by the poor Grand Duchy of Finland. The first schools were built by local agricultural societies using their own timber or by collecting funds through associations. The first teacher training college for elementary school teachers was established in Jyväskylä, and from there, the idea spread across Finland: to Sortavala, Raahe, Kajaani, Hämeenlinna, Savonlinna, Heinola. Building folk schools across the country and training teachers for them was a tremendous leap forward.

Where are we now? And where are we heading? The roles and significance of schools are changing over time, and various aims and forces are pulling them in different directions. The school is a barrel of hopes, the solution to all societal problems, and the implementer of every ideology – all supposedly in a neutral manner. Schools are extensively studied, yet no one seems to know why learning outcomes are declining. Opinions about schools vary widely. Some believe the problems are exaggerated, others believe they are downplayed. Some think schools have continuously improved; others are convinced they’ve worsened.

During the performance period of Koulun tila (“The State of School”), mobile phones have been entirely banned in some schools. The City of Helsinki has suspended the construction of large open-plan learning spaces in its schools. Things are constantly in motion, and Koulun tila tries to keep up and make sense of it all — most likely without fully succeeding.

Koulun tila is almost a monologue. It combines theatre, performance, and serious stand-up. The piece gathers different perspectives on the school system, but at its core is the viewpoint of an experienced classroom teacher reflecting on changes in the school and in the teaching profession. The premiere was at Jyväskylä Summer Festival in 2023, after which Laulumaa has performed it in Helsinki, Oulu, and Jyväskylä.

The performance evolves slightly over time and adapts to the moment. However, the basic structure remains the same as in the very first performance.