Financing of general education

Pre-primary education, primary and lower secondary education (basic education) and upper secondary education are all free of charge. In primary and lower secondary education, not only instruction but also textbooks and learning tools, necessary school transport and school meals are provided free of charge. Upper secondary education is free of charge to the same extent until the end of the calendar year in which the student turns 20 or until the student has completed an upper secondary qualification.

Under the Basic Education Act, a monthly fee determined by the municipality may be charged for before-school and after-school activities for pupils. A reasonable fee may also be charged for participating in basic education in the arts. Students in general upper secondary education who do not meet the above-mentioned conditions are also provided with free school meals and their school journeys may be subsidised. A reasonable fee may be charged for liberal adult education.

In general upper secondary education, the five tests required for completing the matriculation examination and any resitting of failed tests among these five tests are free of charge under the said conditions. Students who simultaneously attend vocational education and training and the general upper secondary education syllabus are entitled to instruction free of charge until they have completed the vocational qualification and passed the matriculation examination, but only until the end of the calendar year in which the student turns 20.

Students can be granted student financial aid for full-time studies in an upper secondary school or a folk high school. There are various financial subsidies for adult learners too.