Books in, screens out: some Finnish pupils go back to paper after tech push

Pupils follow an English language lesson at Pohjolanrinne middle school in Riihimaki, Finland, September 6, 2024. REUTERS/Anne Kauranen

RIIHIMAKI, Finland (Reuters) - This autumn, pupils in the Finnish town of Riihimaki headed back to school with backpacks full of books after a decade of state-backed promotion of laptops and other digital devices in the classroom.

Finland's public education system has gained global renown for its good results in recent decades and its readiness to try new teaching techniques. Until recently, many schools gave laptops for free to all pupils from as early as age 11.