Mission of general upper secondary education

The purpose of general upper secondary education is to help students grow into decent, well-rounded and educated human beings and active members of society, to provide them with the knowledge, skills and capabilities required for engaging in working life and recreational activities, and to further their versatile personal development. A further purpose is to provide students with the capabilities for lifelong learning and continuous personal development. The best interests of the child need to be given priority when planning, providing and making decisions on education and training for students under 18 years of age. 

The Government makes decisions on the common national objectives for general upper secondary education and the distribution of lesson hours between subjects, subject groups, and study and careers guidance. The Finnish National Agency for Education decides on the objectives and key content of education when it approves the national core curriculum, on the basis of which education providers draw up local curricula.

The Ministry of Education and Culture has granted some education providers the right to a specific educational mission. According to this right, these education providers can emphasise a certain subject in their teaching, such as sports, arts or music. Education leading to the International Baccalaureate or to the German International Abitur Diploma is also provided on the basis of a specific educational mission.

Legislation also allows education providers to emphasise certain courses and modules in their curriculum.