Primary and lower secondary education consist of grades 1–9. School education begins in the year a child turns 7 and lasts 9 years, until pupils are 15–16 years old. Before school education, all 6-year-olds have one-year pre-primary education. Primary and lower secondary education is provided within a single structure, and it is given in primary and lower secondary schools. Schools have grades 1–9. Pupils usually go to the school nearest to home.

Some details about Finnish primary and lower secondary education: 

• 2 100 comprehensive schools in 2022 

• 553 000 pupils 2022 

• average school size 250 pupils 

• education compulsory since 1921  

• free school meal since 1948 

• 2 official languages: Finnish and Swedish 

• 90 % of schools Finnish-speaking, 10 % Swedish-speaking 

 

 

Pre-primary, primary and lower secondary education are free of charge in Finland. Textbooks and other learning materials are also free of charge. Pupils get a free school meal every day. Healthcare and welfare services are also free. School nurses, dentists, school psychologists and social workers are available through schools. If pupils live far from school, they get free school transportation. 

 

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There are 20 compulsory subjects in total during primary and lower secondary education. In grades 1 and 2 there are 9 subjects, and the number of subjects increases in upper grades. At which grade individual subjects are taught, and which subjects can be studied as optional studies, varies between schools. 

In grades 1–6 the same class teacher teaches most of the subjects and in grades 7–9 there is a subject teacher for each subject. 

The subjects studied in basic education are

  • mother tongue and literature (Finnish or Swedish) 
  • second national language (Swedish or Finnish)
  • foreign languages
  • mathematics
  • environmental studies
  • biology
  • geography
  • physics
  • chemistry
  • health education
  • religion
  • ethics
  • history
  • social studies
  • music
  • visual arts
  • crafts
  • physical education
  • home economics
  • guidance counselling.  

There are also lessons for optional lessons for artistic and practical subjects and also optional studies. 

In addition to individual school subjects, pupils learn broader skills and transversal competences which are considered important topics in today’s society and in pupils’ future life. These competences cross subject boundaries. Transversal competences are always taught, studied and assessed as part of the different subjects. 

Finnish primary and lower secondary education emphasises the following transversal competences:

• thinking and learning to learn 

• cultural competence, interaction and self-expression 

• taking care of oneself and managing daily life 

• multiliteracy 

• ICT Competence 

• working life competence and entrepreneurship 

• participation, involvement and building a sustainable future 

Graph illustrating subjects and transversal competences. Content described on webpage.
Photo: EDUFI

 

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There are no national tests in Finnish comprehensive schools. Instead, all pupil assessment is done by teachers, class teachers for their own class and subject teachers for their own subject.   

The main types of pupil assessments are continuous assessment during studies (formative assessment) and final assessment (summative assessment) at the end of semesters. Continuous assessment is done throughout the school year, so it is part of daily schoolwork. Teachers give feedback regularly and help pupils notice their strengths and challenges. 

Teachers assess pupils’ learning in various ways, for example through exams, class work and participation in class activities. Pupils also self-assess their learning. Parents or guardians are regularly updated on their children’s progress. 

Pupils get a school report at least once every school year. In lower grades the assessment is written and descriptive. At the latest in the grade 4 the assessment is numerical. The scale used is 4–10. 

 

10 Exellent

9 Very good

8 Good

7 Satisfactory

6 Moderate

5 Adequate

4 Fail

Graph showing the process and elemnts of student assessment. COntent described on webpage.
Photo: EDUFI

 

 

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All pupils have the right to individual guidance and support for learning. This support can include, for example, modified teaching materials, additional teaching, or support for the pupil’s special needs. There is a special education teacher in every school. Private teaching after the school day is uncommon. 

Repeating a grade is rare in Finland. Only 0.3% of pupils repeat a grade each year. 

 

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Municipalities – 309 municipalities in Finland in 2023 - are responsible for arranging primary and lower secondary education. They have a lot of autonomy and can decide independently how to arrange schooling in practice in their area as long as they follow the laws and regulations. Because of this, there are variations between schools. 

Almost all schools are public and there are very few private schools in Finland. From the pupil’s point of view there are no differences between public and private schools as they differ only administratively.

Teachers also enjoy a high level of autonomy. They can independently choose their teaching methods and the materials they use. The teaching profession is traditionally well respected in Finland. 

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