ESPOO MAGAZINE 4/2020

ight now
The introduction of
the new National Core
Curriculum for General
Upper Secondary
Schools (LOPS) will
begin in autumn 2021. It
will give students more
opportunities to have a
say on matters.
Text Tiina Parikka Photos Timo Porthan
The new general upper
secondary school model
encourages to
yield influence
The opportunity to focus
on an important hobby
alongside studies enhances
school motivation.
Aada Ilvonen, a second-year music
programme student at Tapiolan lukio,
feels that general upper secondary
school should serve more as a place
that creates community spirit. She is
one of the four LOPS (National Core Curriculum
for General Upper Secondary Schools) ambassadors
in Espoo, tasked with encouraging young
people to participate and come up with new ideas.
Aada believes that upper secondary schools
would need new channels for influencing matters.
“I think every student should feel that he or she
can make a difference.”
One of the key objectives of the new curriculum,
to enter into force next autumn, is to
increase interaction in schools and across school
boundaries.
Ilvonen hopes that social media channels could
be used for stimulating discussion about what
could be done differently in schools. Today, if you
want to change something at school, you must
first contact a member of the students’ union
board or present the matter in their meeting.
The intention is that the LOPS ambassadors
would tour all the general upper secondary
schools in Espoo. The ambassadors personally
produce social media content and want to make
people in schools think what could be done differently.
Making your dreams come true. In her own
studies, Aada Ilvonen considers it important that
she can study in the music programme. She plays
the piano and sings.
“A special upper secondary school is absolutely
essential for me. In the music programme,
you can develop in matters that you like, which
also supports you when you study other subjects.”
For Lumi Mensonen, a second-year student
at Leppävaaran lukio, a special upper secondary
school offers an opportunity to fully pursue her
interest in basketball.
She has been playing basketball for nine years,
and it was obvious for her that she would choose a
sports-oriented upper secondary school.
“I want to develop in my sport and see how far
my gifts will take me.”
She is not stressed about the evening training
sessions 4–5 times a week and the additional
morning sessions – quite the opposite.
Lumi wants to continue her studies somewhere
where she could also practice her sports.
“It is very important for me that the place of further
studies also supports my interest in sports.”
As far my gifts
will take me.
Lumi Mensonen
wants
to invest in
sports, but she
also want to
study another
profession. She
hopes that her
place of further
study would
also support
her interest in
sports.
20 A magazine for Espoo residents