Fundamental principles

The main objective of Finnish education policy is to offer all citizens equal opportunities to receive education, regardless of age, domicile, financial situation, sex or mother tongue. Education is considered to be one of the fundamental rights of all citizens. 

Firstly, provisions concerning fundamental educational rights guarantee everyone (not just Finnish citizens) the right to free basic education; the provisions also specify compulsory education. Secondly, the public authorities are also obligated to guarantee everyone an equal opportunity to obtain other education besides basic education according to their abilities and special needs, and to develop themselves without being prevented by economic hardship.

In addition, the public authorities are obligated to provide for the educational needs of the Finnish- and Swedish-speaking population according to the same criteria. Approximately 5.5 per cent of the population have Swedish as their mother tongue. Both language groups have the right to education in their own mother tongue. Regulations on the language of instruction are stipulated in legislation concerning different levels of education. The entirely Swedish-speaking Province of Åland has its own educational legislation.

A major objective of Finnish education policy is to achieve as high a level of education and competence as possible for the whole population. One of the basic principles behind this has been to offer post-compulsory education to whole age groups. In international terms, a high percentage of each age group goes on to upper secondary education when they leave comprehensive school: more than 90 per cent of those completing basic education continue their studies in general upper secondary schools or vocational upper secondary education and training. Issues of educational equality are among the key topics in the new Development Plan for Education and Research for 2007–2012. Its objectives include raising the level of education of the population. The aim is that 92.5 per cent of the age group 25-34 –years-olds will by 2015 pass an examination on upper secondary or tertiary level.

The general structure of education reflects these principles through building open avenues and avoiding dead ends which would lead offside after inconsiderate choices at whatever junction.