This year, we have added many new courses, such as dance programs and a wide range of music, from singing to accordion playing. There are exercise groups from ice hockey to meditation, and craft courses from glasswork to national costume and traditional clothing courses. Places are limited, so if you are planning to take a mushroom course or Kaisa Strandman's hip hop course, for example, you should act quickly, says school secretary Anu Kauraoja. Hip hop is a street dance style originating in New York, which we dance in a relaxed manner. We will learn about bounce, groove and rhythm, as well as some moves done on the floor, she says. 

What is a community college?

Community colleges in Finland offer everyone the opportunity to participate in a variety of interesting activities. Community colleges are actually public educational institutions that offer various hobby groups without any formal admission requirements. The principles are therefore openness and accessibility, and there are hobby groups and studies open to everyone, regardless of the participants' age, educational background or place of residence. The selection often includes, for example, language studies, art subjects, physical education, crafts, IT and well-being-related groups. Merikarvia-You can make requests for courses offered at Siikainen Community College and they will be implemented as far as possible (link at the bottom of the article).

Register electronically or at the municipal office.

This year Merikarvia-You can also register for courses at Siikainen Community College online. You can fill out the registration form yourself or authorize someone else to do this. Course fees will be sent as invoices to your email or by land mail to a traditional mailbox. If you are new to registering online, it is a good idea to come Merikarvian municipal office on 12.9. at 16-19 or 13.9. at 9-12 or at the Siikainen library on 17.9. at 10-13. You can also register by phone at 044 7246 325. Digital skills are now civic skills, so we have a wide range of courses on this theme as well. There is a lot of demand for these courses, so it is worth being quick here too. (registration link for courses at the bottom of the article).

Civic college operations are maintained by public actors.

Community colleges are run by municipalities or other public bodies. Each municipality usually has its own community college or regional college that meets the educational needs of local residents. This keeps prices reasonable, and sometimes participation is even free. The principle of community colleges is to promote equality in education and support lifelong learning by offering opportunities to learn new skills, develop one's own expertise, and engage in various activities throughout life. It is also an important place for all age groups to make friends.

Civic colleges therefore receive funding from the state and municipalities. State funding is based on free educational work, and it covers part of the operating costs. Municipalities can supplement the funding and part of the costs are covered by course fees. The colleges are usually administered by the municipalities. The operations are based on annually changing curricula and the content of the courses can be influenced, as already mentioned above. The operations of civic colleges are regulated by the Finnish Act on Free Educational Work.

Come to practice, meet friends or teach – the choice is yours

“Welcome to enjoy good company!” says Anu Kauraoja, our new study secretary. If you would like to offer us a distance course, we will provide a remote platform for teachers and help with practical arrangements, Kauraoja advises. We are constantly looking for new ideas, both for live and distance teaching, so if you are interested in teaching or leading a group – please contact us:  anu.kauraoja@merikarvia.fi – title your message: “As a tutor for a community college”.