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Comprehensive school Comprehensive schools provide general basic education from year 1 to year 9. Some folk high schools, upper secondary schools for adults and other educational institutions also offer general basic education. Under the Basic Edu...

The aim of the project Framework for Digitalisation in Early Childhood Education and Care, Comprehensive School Education and Liberal Adult Education is to define the principles, target state and measures guiding the development of digitalisation in education and training in cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish National Agency for Education and the sector.

Futures work in comprehensive schools The vision work assesses the type of needs that exist for further developing comprehensive schools and the capabilities that education should offer for the future. The work focuses on changes that demand a soc...

Programmes for quality and equality in early childhood and comprehensive school education The Right to Learn development programmes aim to secure an equal start for learning by improving quality and equality in early childhood education and care (...

11.2.2026 | Under the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Culture, a vision for the comprehensive school of the future has been drawn up. Comprehensive Schools 2045: The vision for life estimates that with accelerating technological advances, an ecological crisis and social segregation, the core function of education is being challenged. Schools are not only expected to prepare young people for future changes but also equip them for life and enable them to change the world.

Financing of general education The state and the local education providers share the financial cost for tuition. Pre-primary education, primary and lower secondary education (basic education) and upper secondary education are all free of charge. I...

Basic education Basic education provides a general education and general knowledge and is typically given in comprehensive schools. A pupil is not awarded a degree when graduating from comprehensive school, but it does provide them with the qualif...

Education is one of the cornerstones of the Finnish welfare society. We pride ourselves on an educational system that offers equal opportunities for education for all.

Questions and answers related to compulsory education This page provides answers to frequently asked questions on the extension of compulsory education. Questions and answers related to compulsory education Free of charge Guidance and supervision ...

Key legislation on general education This page lists the key acts and decrees on general education. If an English translation of an act or decree is available, the link takes you directly to the English version of the statute in the Finlex databas...

Extension of compulsory education The aim is that, having completed their comprehensive school education, all students gain an upper secondary qualification. The minimum school leaving age raised to 18 years. In addition, student guidance and stud...

Statistics and publications on general education The Ministry of Education and Culture uses Finnish and international research and statistical data in its work related to general education. Statistics Finland, which is Finland's public authority o...

Foresight and evaluation activities Pre-primary education and comprehensive school education are evaluated using different theme and system evaluations. Comprehensive school education is also evaluated on the basis of learning outcomes. The aim is...

General education General education comprises pre-primary, primary, lower secondary, general upper secondary education and other non-vocational studies, such as those at liberal adult education institutions. It also includes basic art education. T...

The recommendations for artificial intelligence, AI, support competence related to AI in education, teaching and training. Strengthening competence promotes increasing understanding of AI, its safe use and equal opportunities for education and training actors to utilise emerging technologies in learning.

Developing general upper secondary education In order to develop general upper secondary education, the Ministry of Education and Culture is drawing up proposals for overhauling the financing of general upper secondary education, and for reforming...

Financing and administration of general education The Ministry of Education and Culture drafts legislation and government resolutions related to general education and coordinates the activities under its remit. The policies outlined in the Governm...

General upper secondary education General upper secondary education and the matriculation examination taken at the end of it make it possible to apply for studies in higher education institutions. The unit of the scope of studies is a credit. The ...

7.1.2026 | Options for completing compulsory education after comprehensive school (TUVA) Preparatory education for programmes leading to an upper secondary qualification (max. 1 year). Each comprehensive school leaver must apply for further studies through t...

Freedom of religion The aim of the Ministry of Education and Culture is to ensure the freedom of religion and to provide all people with possibilities to profess and practise their religion. The Constitution of Finland guarantees freedom of religi...