Photo: Jenniina Nummela

Service Network Survey 2026

The City Council decided to launch a study on the early childhood education and basic education service network in December 2025. The study is expected to be completed in May 2026. According to the council's decision, the study includes options that can be used to adapt the service network to the decreasing number of children.

The study assesses the impacts of the alternatives

to the staff
for children and young people of early childhood education and primary education age
real estate
for housing and
planning and the environment.

Impact assessments include consultations with parents, students and staff. In addition, when completed, the report will include a view on unified learning paths, student admission principles and group sizes in pre-primary and primary education.

The steering group for the study is formed by the City Board and the City Council Presidium, while the project group consists of the Education and Welfare Board, the Director of Education, and experts invited by the group.

Why is a service network survey being conducted?

The city is conducting a service network analysis because the number of children in Finland and Riihimäki is decreasing significantly. This means that there will be no need for as many early childhood education and school places in the future. In 2014, 309 children were born in Riihimäki. Ten years later, in 2024, half as many children were born, 154. Due to the decrease in the number of students, Riihimäki will have to analyze the number of school units.

Another reason for the study is that the city wants to ensure a healthy learning path in early childhood education and basic education and the best possible learning conditions.

The financial conditions of the city of Riihimäki are becoming tighter due to the poor economic situation. For this reason, it is important to review services in terms of needs. The city is preparing a stable financial program alongside a service network analysis.