What is the future of village schools? A case study on the life cycle of a school in northern Finland

Abstract

This micro-historical research reveals what happened in the village of Aapajärvi located in a sparsely populated municipality in northern Finland since the school was established and since it disappeared. In this article, the following questions are studied: How was it possible to establish and build an elementary school in a remote and roadless village in poor circumstances at the time of post-war reconstruction and how did the situation of the Aapajärvi School change along the societal changes in Finland? The data of this research comprises both archival sources (e.g. proceedings of the Aapajärvi School board meetings, diaries) and interview data among former teachers and pupils of the school and villagers. In the conclusion, the significance of village schools and their development as a part of functional and equal education overall will be dissected. Small schools could offer a good option to the development of pupil-centered teaching and learning.