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Strengthening the basic skills and language of instruction of pupils with a migrant background The aim is to ensure that pupils who have recently moved to Finland have the capabilities to pursue further studies. The action plan will look for solut...

Support for learning and school attendance Provisions on the principles for support for learning and school attendance and how they are provided in pre-primary, primary and lower secondary education are laid down in the Act on Primary and Lower Se...

12.5.2026 | Satakunta Museum is digitising its prehistoric collections into three-dimensional format as part of the European Twin it! campaign. The project, funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture, aims to improve access to cultural heritage by presenting historical objects to a wider audience, and by supporting education and research through digital solutions.

Basic education in the arts Basic education in the arts is provided primarily for children and young people on an extracurricular basis. Basic arts education is provided at music institutes and schools, art schools, dance institutes and schools, h...

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 ...

Cuts being made to studies in Finnish language and culture abroad have lately been a topic in public debate. The Ministry of Education and Culture has also received communications and petitions related to the issue. Here, we provide an overview of the background to the approaches adopted and respond to the concerns expressed by the public.

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...

Pupil and student welfare Pupils in pre-primary, primary and lower secondary school as well as students in upper secondary school have the right to pupil and student welfare services (also known as student welfare). It consists of student welfare ...

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...

Qualifications and studies in vocational education and training The qualifications structure in vocational education and training (VET) has three levels. There are three types of qualifications: vocational upper secondary qualification, further vo...

Preparing the Programme to Develop Quality and Equality in Vocational Education and Training This programme to develop equality and quality in vocational education and training will help ensure that all students in vocational education and trainin...

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...

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...

Education for immigrants Immigrants usually participate in the same early childhood education and care, education and training as the rest of the population. In addition to these, integration training and support for learning as well as preparator...

20.5.2026 | UEF// University of Eastern Finland Commentary on the KAPPAS2 Findings: A pedagogical perspective Heidi Hyytinen, Vice Dean, Professor of University Pedagogy Final Seminar of KAPPAS2 Project 2026 | 20 May 2026, Helsinki UEF// University of Eastern...

20.5.2026 | Critical Thinking Skills International Perspectives Doris Zahner, PhD 20 May 2026 | Helsinki, Finland KAPPAS2 Final Seminar 2 57% of students entering higher education internationally are not proficient in critical thinking, problem solving, and w...

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.

Morning and afternoon activities Morning and afternoon activities are activities held outside the scope of lessons before and after school, and are intended for year 1 and 2 pupils as well as pupils with special needs. Local authorities in municip...

18.12.2025 | The international results of the OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2024 were published earlier this autumn. They have now been supplemented with Finland’s national results. Finland participated in the main TALIS 2024, which focused on lower secondary school teachers and principals, and in the TALIS Starting Strong module, which targeted staff in early childhood education and care and pre-primary education.