The Ministry of Justice recently announced plans to amend the Non-Discrimination Act, specifically targeting the obligation to promote equality in early childhood education and care. This proposed change has sparked controversy and raised concerns among various stakeholders in Finland.
The draft proposal aims to relieve municipalities and early childhood education providers of the burden of creating and implementing equality plans, citing reduced costs and bureaucracy as key benefits. However, the government’s plan has faced significant backlash from Finland’s Non-Discrimination Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for Children, and the Ombudsman for Equality, who have expressed deep concerns about the potential negative impact of this change.
Under the current Non-Discrimination Act, authorities, education providers, and employers are required to assess and promote equality in their activities. This obligation was extended to early childhood education and care organisers in 2023 to prevent discrimination, promote equality, and uphold children’s rights. The focus is on ensuring that all children and families are treated equally and that the quality of education is maintained.
The proposed changes could have adverse effects, particularly on children at risk of discrimination and their families. The ombudsmen have highlighted the real problems of discrimination, bullying, and loneliness that young children face in their daily lives. People of African descent in Finland have reported experiencing discrimination in education, including during early childhood education, indicating the urgent need for measures to address these issues.
Despite claims that the changes would lead to cost savings, the ombudsmen argue that the proposed amendment would undermine the commitment to equality and fairness without significant budget benefits. The consultation period for the legislative proposal has ended, with concerns raised by organizations like the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare.
In conclusion, the debate over the proposed changes to the Non-Discrimination Act highlights the importance of promoting equality and protecting children from discrimination in early childhood education and care. It remains to be seen how the government will address these concerns and whether the proposed amendments will ultimately be implemented.