Special Educational Support

To promote the learners' healthy growth and development, education is provided according to their age and capabilities. Learning and social well-being are promoted through safe school environment, social and psychological support and health care. Early identification of learning difficulties and sufficient support are cornerstones of education.

General educational support for all pupils includes guidance and counselling, social welfare services, cooperation between home and school, the use of the learning plan, and remedial teaching. General support for studies is provided equally to all pupils, but schools must be prepared to focus support flexibly to address the special needs of individuals. Co-operation between pre-primary education and basic education and between basic education and upper secondary education is an important part of the work that supports education. Issues concerning the provision of guidance and counselling services, studying, pupil welfare services, and support services are to be explained to pupils and their parents or guardians.

In addition to organising instruction, each local authority is generally responsible for social welfare services for pupils and students. A local authority must, in certain circumstances, organise such services as transportation for pupils who need it. Pupils in basic education living some distance from school (more than 5 km) or the journey is considered dangerous are entitled to free transport. Welfare services also include free school meals, school health care, dental care as well as the services of student welfare officers and school psychologists.

The national core curriculum is determined by the Finnish National Board of Education. It includes, besides the objectives, core contents of different subjects and the principles of pupil assessment, provisions on special needs education, pupil welfare and educational guidance.

Each pupil of compulsory school age has the right to receive remedial instruction and special needs education, where necessary. Special needs education is provided primarily through inclusion into mainstream education. If learning difficulties are minor, special needs education is provided as part-time special needs education in conjunction with mainstream instruction.

If a child cannot cope in mainstream education due to disability, illness, delayed development, emotional disorder or some other similar reason, she/he may be admitted to special education during pre-primary education and upon commencement of compulsory education or s/he may also be transferred to special education later during comprehensive school. In such cases, special needs education may also be provided in a special group, class or school.