Primary and lower secondary education
Primary and lower secondary education lasts for 9 years and it is for all youngsters between 7 and 16 years. Pre-primary education starts one year before primary and lower secondary education at the age of 6.
Primary and lower secondary education is provided in a single structure system. It includes grades 1–9.
Municipalities are responsible for arranging education for all 6–18 years old living in a municipality.
Pre-primary and primary and lower secondary education are free of charge for pupils. Pupils get also free learning materials, daily school meal, health and welfare services and transport from home to school if the way to school is long or dangerous.
Every pupil is allocated a place in a nearby school, but they can also choose another school with some restrictions.
All schools follow a national core curriculum, which includes objectives and core contents of different subjects. The education providers - most often municipalities as the local education authorities - and the schools themselves draw up their own curricula within the framework of the national core curriculum.
The former translation of primary and lower secondary education is basic education, which is used in the name of the current core curriculum, The National Core Curriculum for Basic Education (2014).
- Brochure: Primary and lower secondary education in Finland
- Key figures on early childhood and basic education in Finland 2018
- Brochure: Funding in pre-primary and basic education supports equity and equality
- Brochure: New national core curriculum for basic education: focus on school culture and integrative approach
- Brochure: Basic education in the Nordic region - Similar values, different policies
General information about education
Basics on primary and lower secondary education
Basic information about primary and lower secondary education
www.oph.fiPrimary and lower secondary education is provided within a single structure. 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.
Distribution of lesson hours
The overall distribution of lesson hours for basic education and the minimum number of lessons for core subjects during basic education are decided by the Government.
Some aspects of the national core curriculum for primary and lower secondary (b…
The national core curriculum provides a uniform foundation for local curricula. The purpose of the curriculum is to enable a reform of school culture and school pedagogy which will improve the quality of the learning process and enhance learning outcomes. Find out more about the key principles in the national core curriculum.
Criteria for Final Assessment in Primary and Lower Secondary Education
www.oph.fiOn this page you will find the Criteria for Final Assessment in Primary and Lower Secondary Education, which have been introduced in August 2021.
Education and support for pupils with migrant and multilingual background
www.oph.fiIn the instruction of migrant and multilingual pupils, the particular goal is supporting the pupils' plurilingualism and the development of their identity and self-confidence.
Promoting wellbeing
www.oph.fiThe wellbeing of pupils plays an integral role in primary and lower secondary education, and is also enforced by Finnish legislation and national core curriculum The concept of wellbeing has a broad meaning in Finnish education, encompassing physical, mental, social, as well as economic aspects.
Support to learning and pupil welfare system
www.oph.fiThe national core curriculum (2014) promotes positive differentiation, flexible arrangements in schools, and strong support for all students as part of a good operating culture of a school.
Interesting aspects and current affairs of Finnish education
Multiliteracy and media literacy
www.oph.fiThe transversal competence multiliteracy (incl. media literacy) is an essential competence throughout the Finnish educational system. Multiliteracy is an integrated part of teaching and learning of all subjects.
The National Literacy Program
www.oph.fiThe National Literacy Program (former The Literacy Movement) is an ongoing program aimed at promoting the literacy of Finnish residents, especially children and young people.
The National Literacy Strategy 2030
www.oph.fiThe National Literacy Strategy 2030 describes the measures that should be taken in Finland to strengthen multiliteracy.
Support for digital competence
www.oph.fiThe Finnish Framework for Digital Competence supports the local implementation of the guidelines of national core curricula.
AI gudelines for education
www.oph.fiIn 2025, the Finnish National Agency for Education and the Ministry of Education and Culture will publish guidelines for the use of AI in primary and lower secondary education. The aim of the AI Guidelines is to support education providers in using AI as part of teaching and learning.
A sustainable future
www.oph.fiA sustainable future is a guide to the development of learning, school culture and everyday practices in the world of education.
School meals in Finland
www.oph.fiIn Finland, each child and young person attending pre-primary, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education can enjoy a free school meal. Nearly 850,000 pupils and students are entitled to free school lunch.
Move! - monitoring system for physical functional capacity
www.oph.fiMove! is a national physical functional capacity monitoring and feedback system for Finnish 5th and 8th grade pupils. The main purpose of the system is to encourage pupils to independently take care of their physical functional capacity.
Crafts (Craft and Design or Handicraft) in Finnish Education
www.oph.fiCrafts (Crafts and Design Education) is common school subject to all pupils in primary and lower secondary education (Basic Education Law 11§) from the 1st grade to the end of 7th grade.