In 1873, the sister of the sawmill owner Bergbom founded a school for the sawmill workers’ children. The building in which the schoolwork began was probably demolished already in the 1890’s.

 As the number of pupils gradually grew, the teacher of the school suggested the municipal council that a municipal school be established. The suggestion was turned down by the council. The inspector of primary schools made a complaint to the governor’s office, which obliged the municipality of Haukipudas to establish the school. In 1908, the municipality of Haukipudas decided to take action. As the first school premises the municipality rented a crofter’s house from Juho Mällinen.

 This was the beginning of a series of improvements in educational matters in Pateniemi. In 1912 was built the Etelä-Kello school (today known as Kuivasoja school). As the number of students grew, the Risuniitty school was founded (today known as Herukan ala-aste primary school). The land for the school was granted by Uleå company. In 1923 was completed the first school building at the present site (the ‘A-building’). Another building, made of timber, was completed in 1936.

 The number of pupils grew constantly, but additional premises could not be obtained until after the war. There was migration into the area, as well as brisk building activity, and the Risuniitty school lacked room. For example, some of the classes had to study in a small, cold hallway, with long benches serving as desks, at which the pupils kneeled.

 Additional land for the school was not obtained until in May 1950, when the construction of the present buildings, made of stone, was started. The school was completed in 1952, the year of the Olympic Games in Helsinki. Additional room for studying crafts was acquired in 1959, but this building burned down in the 1980’s.

 There were some unsuccessful plans to start a common civic school for Kello and Pateniemi school districts. Instead, a privately maintained intermediate school was established in 1964.

 In 1965, Pateniemi became a part of the city of Oulu. Herukan koulu primary school (formerly Risuniitty school) has been operating in the present premises for over 40 years. In the middle of the 1980’s, the so called B-, C- and D-buildings were renovated and a rain shelter for the pupils was built. However, the A-building was not thoroughly renovated. The reason for this was that the number of pupils was thought to be in decline, and it was thought that the building would no longer be needed for school use by the beginning of the 1990’s. Unfortunately this was not the case, and lack of room has become a real problem. In 1986, Herukan koulu primary school had 415 pupils and in 2001 there are already as many as 694 pupils. Due to mould damages in the A-building, a temporary building had to be built for six classes in 1996.

 At the moment, our school has got some new school premises to substitute the damaged A-building. We also have a new, modern gymnasium.