Remote study triggers dropout: Andersson

Education Minister Li Andersson on Saturday said remote study during the coronavirus pandemic increased the number of school dropouts in the last spring.

Talking to the national broadcaster Yle in its Ykkösaamu (Morning Breakfast) programme, the minister said about 4,000 students remain absent at school for long term every year.

“Coronavirus and spring’s long period of distance learning has probably affected this group worst and unfortunately it has also made it larger,” said Andersson, adding that the number of school dropouts made her worried.

She said the crisis created this year cannot be corrected in just one school year.

The minister also mentioned that the five-party alliance government has allocated a budget of eight million euros for the care work of school students across the country.