Students: Töölö High School decided that students may not come to school dressed for 'nasujaiset'

Töölö Upper Secondary School in Helsinki has implemented a ban on students attending school dressed for 'nasujaiset,' a traditional student event. The school communicated this policy through Wilma messages to students and their guardians, stating that students arriving in 'nasujaiset' attire will be escorted out and required to change their clothes.

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Students dressed for nasujaiset will be guided out of the school premises and asked to change clothes.

This directive follows an earlier verbal announcement on the first day of the school year, August 12, where group advisors informed students that those dressed for the event would not be admitted. The school principal, Marja Mikkola, confirmed that 'nasujaiset' is not a school-organized activity but declined to comment further on the dress code ban.

'Nasujaiset' traditionally involves second-year students hazing first-year students. Critics have labeled the event as degrading humiliation. However, a second-year student interviewed by HS noted that participation is voluntary and that first-year students are not pressured into attending against their will.

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The school principal Marja Mikkola responded to the call but declined to comment on the dress code ban.

The student also mentioned that the initial reason given for the ban was to curb hierarchical power dynamics between year groups. Despite the ban, many first-year students have reportedly signed up for the event, which is scheduled to take place after school hours. Students plan to arrive at school in their costumes as a group, intending to participate in classes normally while dressed unusually.

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The school's stated reason for banning nasujaiset attire was to curb the elimination of hierarchy and power dynamics between year groups.