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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.

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

Early childhood education and care In Finland local authorities are responsible for ensuring that early childhood education and care is provided in accordance with the needs of children and families. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is pr...

Frequently asked questions Here you can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. If you couldn’t find the answer to your question on our website, you are also welcome to contact us kas.okm(at)gov.fi How are you developing Finni...

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 morning and afternoon ...

Steering, financing and agreements of higher education institutions, science agencies and research institutes The Ministry of Education and Culture coordinates the activities of higher education institutions, science agencies and research institut...

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...

Continuous learning Continuous learning responds to the need to develop and renew competence at different stages of people’s lives and careers. The changing demands of work will significantly increase the need for upskilling and continuous learnin...

27.3.2026 | For readers seeking a concise orientation to South Africa’s research landscape in artificial intelligence (AI), this article outlines three key parts of the system: the long‑established Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research, a set of newer AI hubs, and AI‑related research chairs. Together with a wide range of other research groups and projects across the country’s 26 public universities, t...

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its effects in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture On this page, we will update information on the impacts of the situation in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Education a...

EU and international cooperation in arts and culture The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for international cultural policy and participates in its development and implementation in international organisations and the European Unio...

EU and international cooperation in arts and culture The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for international cultural policy and participates in its development and implementation in international organisations and the European Unio...

3.3.2026 | AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND FOR 2025–2028 1. Common objectives of higher education institutions The Ministry of Education and Culture and the University of Eastern Finland have agre...

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 ...

7.1.2026 | 1 Procedural recommendations for developing Finland’s national language reserve 2 Foreword We need an accurate picture of the national language reserve Fewer languages are being studied in school Developing school practices Early childhood educati...