Disabling School? Professionalisation of special education and student welfare in the Finnish compulsory school

ABSTRACT

This article examines the birth and growth of the Finnish student welfare system and special education. The study takes a socio-historical approach and its theoretical point of departure lies in the concepts of the welfare state and professionalisation. The student welfare system and special education have grown enormously, especially after the Second World War. Now this growth has reached its peak because of the economic recession. The critical connection between professionalism and the modern welfare state lies in the fact that the prerogative of experts to identify, define and manage various human deficiencies and problem is, to a great extent, manoeuvred and legitimated by the state. Although the form and scope of the student welfare and special education have changed, one thing has remained the same; measures are still directed against the individual student.