Närpiö: Locating the pre-primary school in Yttermark - A
description of an HuIA process
Background
A working group dealing with the school network in Närpiö
proposed in autumn 2003 that the Yttermark pre-primary school
should be transferred to the premises of the Yttermark primary
school in autumn 2007. Efforts had previously been made in Närpiö
to locate pre-primary schools with morning and afternoon activities
in school premises. However, the Yttermark pre-primary school with
its morning and afternoon activities were operated in rented
premises in the centre of Yttermark. The personnel had been
satisfied with the existing arrangements.
The HuIA process and participants
The director of social services, who acted as the draftsman,
conducted an assessment while consulting the senior teachers of the
Yttermark school and pre-primary school, the person running the
afternoon activities, and other teachers. The personnel also
presented their views to the draftsman in writing. During the
drafting process, visits were made to the school and pre-primary
school premises. Including these visits, the assessment required
approximately 5 hours.
Alternatives and impacts
The assessment included two alternatives:
1) The pre-primary school will continue in the current
premises;
2) The pre-primary school will move to the premises of the
Yttermark primary school.
The advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives were
examined from various perspectives, including the functionality of
the premises, possibilities for physical activity, personnel,
parents, food delivery, co-operation, travelling required for
children to attend clubs, and costs. A summary was prepared
concerning the impacts of each alternative.
Alternative 1: The pre-primary school will
continue in the current premises.
Impacts of the proposal:
- The current premises of 156 m², specifically renovated for the
pre-primary school, will continue to be used for the original
purpose.
- The personnel and parents are satisfied with the premises.
- The leaser is satisfied with the tenants.
- Arrangements that are familiar to the personnel and parents can
be maintained.
- Unlike the seven other pre-primary schools in Närpiö, the
Yttermark pre-primary school is not located in the premises of a
local primary school.
- Co-operation with the primary school is not as close as it
could be if the pre-primary school would operate in the same
building as the primary school.
- Meals are obtained from the Svenska Österbotten folkakademi
(uncertain from autumn 2007 onwards)
- Those pupils in the primary school who need afternoon
activities need to move from one place to another.
- The rent costs amount to EUR 6000 per year.
Alternative 2: The pre-primary school will move
to the premises of the Yttermark primary school
Impacts of the proposal:
- The pre-primary school will be given a room space of some 106
m² and an opportunity to make extensive use of the sports
room.
- No wet spaces currently exist but a standpipe will be provided
outside the building and the sauna and shower rooms will be altered
for use as wet spaces.
- Co-operation with the school becomes easier as it is located in
the same building.
- Access to the school playground and ice-hockey rink
- The personnel of the pre-primary school and the afternoon
activities are not in favour of the removal if no additional rooms
will be made available.
- The personnel of the school regard the potential move as
beneficial.
- The costs of internal rent
- Costs caused by the wet space alterations, the standpipe and
fencing
Consideration by the Committee
The matter was considered by the Social Committee on 4 December
2006. The impact assessment material was distributed to those
attending the committee meeting. The impacts of the alternatives
were also described in the proposal text. On account of the
opposition of the pre-primary school personnel, the draftsman
proposed that the matter should be shelved for a more detailed
impact assessment. The decision was made in line with the
proposal.
Further information
Yvonne Lindén
Director of Social Services
City of Närpiö
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