National Core Curriculum for Basic Education 2004

The English versions of Finnish National Core Curricula for Basic Education, for Upper Secondary Schools and many other publications can be ordered from e-store (User interface only in Finnish and Swedish) or by e-mail from the address below. There are also some other languages available, for further information, contact info (at ) kustannustaito.fi

The national core curriculum for basic education specifies the objectives and core contents of cross-curricular themes, subjects, and subject groups in basic education intended for pupils receiving compulsory education, and of other education as referred to in the Basic Education Act, with the exception of pre-primary education. The national core curriculum also specifies the central principles of student welfare services and school-home cooperation, as well as the objectives of student welfare services as part of the educational system. The national core curriculum for basic education constitutes a regulation, on the basis of which the provider of basic education will take decisions respecting curriculum.

The National Board of Education's recommendation for the core curriculum for instruction in the native languages of immigrants is included as an appendix to the core curriculum.

Printed publication can be ordered by e-mail: info (at) kustannustaito.fi.
ISBN 952-13-2081-8, 320 pages

Publication in pdf-format can be printed from these pages. Publication is divided in five parts:

Part I: Index and chapters 1–6 (pdf, 19 Mt)
1. Curriculum
2. Starting points for provision of education
3. Implementation of instruction
4. General support for studies
5. Instruction of pupils needing special support
6. Instruction of cultural and language groups

Part II: Chapters 7, 7.1–7.3 (pdf, 34 Mt)
7. Learning objectives and core contents of education
7.1 Integration and cross-curricular themes
7.2 Studies in mother tongues and the second national language
7.3 Mother tongue and literature

Part III: Chapters 7.4–7.9 (pdf, 25 Mt)
7.4 Second national language
7.5 Foreign languages
7.6 Mathematics
7.7 Environmental and natural sciences
7.8 Biology and geography 
7.9 Physics and chemistry

Part IV: Chapters 7.10–7.21 (pdf, 16 Mt)
7.10 Health education
7.11 Religion
7.12 Ethics
7.13 History
7.14 Social studies
7.15 Music
7.16 Visual arts
7.17 Crafts
7.18 Physical education
7.19 Home economics
7.20 Optional subjects
7.21 Educational and vocational guidance

Part V: Chapters 8–9 and Appendix (pdf, 18 Mt) 
8. Pupil assessment
9. Instruction in accordance with a special educational task or special pedagogical system or principle
Appendix 1–5
National core curriculum for instruction preparatory to basic education
National core curriculum for voluntary additional basic education 

About the national Core Curricula in Russian