The Education Committee will discuss the matter at its meeting on 18 August 2026, and the Competence and Economic Development Committee will do so on 19 August 19 2026. Tampere has not previously had a unified policy on face coverings.
The policy currently under consideration is based on safety in educational institutions, unimpeded interaction, and an environment that supports learning. It would apply not only during the school day but also to activities taking place outside the educational institution, such as field trips and work-based learning. The policy would not apply to face coverings worn for health reasons or to the educational institution’s own themed events. In vocational education, the policy would also not apply to customers in open learning environments, such as restaurants and cafés.
Preparations for the matter began in early 2026, and the city drew on legal and safety-related background research to support the process. The Youth Council, the Immigrant Council, staff representatives, Specialists, and students were extensively consulted during the preparation process.
– Covering one’s face is extremely rare in Tampere schools, but we wanted to establish common rules for this matter proactively. The recognizability of students and staff is a safety issue. Visible faces support the development of language, emotional expression, and social skills, as well as interaction between teachers and students at all educational levels, says Anne-Mari Jussila, Deputy Mayor for Educational Services.
The proposed policy on face coverings is set to come into effect on 1 January 2027, after which service groups will incorporate it into their own rules and regulations and may, if necessary, clarify it with implementation guidelines.
– The guidelines have been developed based on research findings from the perspectives of identifiability, safety, and prevention. The primary aim is to ensure that every child and young person in Tampere has an equal right to a safe learning environment, from an early childhood education and care centre through high school. When the rules are clear in advance, everyone knows how things are done in Tampere, says Johanna Kirjavainen, Deputy Mayor for Vitality.
The matter will proceed from the Education Committee and the Economic Development and Competence Committee to the City Board, and the City Council will vote on it on 17 September 2026.
