Education
“Everyone has the right to basic education free of charge. The public authorities shall guarantee for everyone equal opportunity to receive other educational services in accordance with their ability and special needs, as well as the opportunity to develop themselves without being prevented by economic hardship.”
– Constitution of Finland
Education in Finland
Education is free of charge in Finland from pre-primary to higher education. Education is compulsory until the age of 18, which means a statutory obligation and right to receive school education or to acquire similar information during the compulsory school age. The goal is for everyone to complete secondary education “or to acquire similar information.”
Education system in Finland (pdf, okm.fi)
The education system is designed to provide equal learning opportunities for all students, including those who need special support. The educational path is based on inclusivity.
Special support during the educational path
Comprehensive school
Comprehensive school in Finland is free and compulsory for all students. Comprehensive school lasts nine years and it includen primary and lower seconadry education. Schools are maintained by the local authorities (municipalities).
Students who need special support can receive it at three different levels:
- General support: Provided to all students when needed. This may involve short-term additional resources, such as remedial teaching.
- Intensified support: More specific support measures, such as support from a special education teacher, as well as various material and teaching arrangements.
- Special support: This stage usually includes individually tailored content and goals, and the pupil may study either partially or entirely in special groups.
Vocational education
In Finland, special support continues into upper secondary education if needed. Students who require support have two options:
- general vocational institutions offer special support
- vocational special education institutions (AMEO) specialise in offering more individual support
Both types of institutions aim to ensure that every student receives the support they need in both learning and transitioning to working life. In both types of institutions, students are provided with a personal development plan for skills (HOKS), which considers their specific needs, such as learning methods, the level of support required, and any special arrangements.
High school (general upper secondary education)
In high schoon (lukio) there is support available but not actual SNE as vocational education ha Support measures are implemented in cooperation with the teaching staff and it supports subject teaching. Support can be, for example, remedial teaching or learning can be promoted by offering various studies that promote well-being and learning.
Higher education
The qualifications accomplished in all vocational colleges, includin special needs colleges, are valid for applying further studies. It is not common for vocational SNE students to continue to higher education but it is possible and it does happen.
Higher education is provided by universities and universities of applied sciences. In higher education we talk about individual support. Models of support vary but can include for exampel services offered by study psychologists and study well-being experts.
Transitioning to working life
In all vocational education learning includes workplace-based learning. Vocational special education institutions collaborate with employment services, social services, and other support systems to ensure that students receive the necessary support when transitioning to working life.
General or special vocational education?
General Vocational Institutions
Special support can be provided in all vocational institutions. Students may for example use various learning tools, audiobooks or visual aids. Learning can be made more practical, material divided into smaller parts, learning environment adapted or exam time extended.
Vocational Special Education Institutions/Colleges
Special education institutions provide more intensive support for students with broader needs. Learning is practical and study groups small. Staff is specialized in SNE methods so that students are provided with diverse support services and guidance.
Education at Spesia
Preparatory education and vocational qualifications offered
- TELMA: Preparatory education for work and independent living
For those who are not aiming to study for a qualification. - TUVA: Preparatory education for programmes leading to an upper secondary qualification
For those who aim to complate a qualifications later on. - Vocational upper secondary qualifications (180 cp)
Some grounds for special needs education
- Difficulties with perception, attention and concentration
- Linguistic difficulties
- Interactive and behavioural disorders
- Mild delayed development
- Severe delayed development
- Chronic psychological disorders
- Chronic physical diseases
- Learning difficulties related to autism spectrum
- Difficulties related to mobility and motor functions
- Hearing impairment
- Visual impairment
Studies according to needs
- A personal competence development plan (HOKS*) will be drawn up for every student.
- Students’ earlier competences are identified and acknowledged.
- Studies and support are planned individually.
- Training is competence-based, that is, competences matter, not semesters. The length of studies can vary à continuous application throughout the year has become common.
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