Structure of the chapter

This chapter provides a thematic and chronological overview of national reforms and policy developments since 2022. The web pages that follow group reforms in the following broad thematic areas:

• Early childhood education and care

• General school education

• Vocational education and training

• Higher education

• Adult education and training.

Inside each thematic area, reforms are organised chronologically. The most recent reforms are described first. 

Government’s key objectives for education

The program of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government, titled "A Strong and Caring Finland", published on June 20, 2023, outlines the goals and priorities for Finland’s education system for 2023–2027. The government’s vision is to create a functioning, safe, and fair society where citizens' opportunities for success and well-being are secured across generations. Sustainable well-being is seen as being grounded in education, knowledge, and the principles of equality and fairness.

General educational objectives and priorities for 2023–2027

The government has set the following key goals for the education sector:

• Improving the quality of early childhood education.Raising learning outcomes and educational attainment across Finland.
• Strengthening basic skills, ensuring all students leave comprehensive school with sufficient foundational knowledge.
• Enhancing education’s role in fostering economic growth.
• Better aligning education with the needs of the labor market to reduce skills mismatch.
• Reducing the number of young people not in education, employment, or training.
• Encouraging increased physical activity across all age groups in Finland.

The strengths of the Finnish education system include highly educated teachers and a wide degree of pedagogical freedom. The government also emphasizes the importance of freedom in science, art, and higher education, with free speech being a cornerstone of Western civilization, democracy, and intellectual progress.

Overview of education policy directions

The Finnish government's education policy for 2023–2027 centers on raising educational attainment, improving learning outcomes, and promoting equality in education. Across all levels, from early childhood to higher education, there is an emphasis on developing essential skills, fostering work-readiness, and ensuring learning support. The government also aims to enhance the cooperation between vocational education and businesses, while higher education will be reformed to better meet the needs of the future workforce. The government advances to ensure that the education system provides sufficient expertise in critical sectors and bolsters Finland's international competitiveness.

Key educational priorities for different educational levels

Early childhood education and care

The government aims to raise participation rates in early childhood education and improve its quality. Special focus is on increasing the participation of children over three years of age, with particular attention given to immigrant children to help develop their Finnish and Swedish language skills. The funding for equality in early childhood education will be stabilized, and service vouchers will be reformed to ensure families have equitable access to different types of early childhood education.

Pre-primary, primary and lower secondary education

For pre-primary education, the government will continue to monitor the two-year pre-primary education pilot, with a thorough evaluation to follow that will inform future decisions.

In primary and lower secondary education, the focus is on strengthening foundational skills and improving the quality of teaching. The government seeks to enhance students' and teachers' learning environments and add more instructional time, especially in literacy, numeracy, and writing. The three-tier support system for learning will be reformed to ensure that support is available consistently and transparently for all students. Furthermore, the government is introducing uniform plans and models to prevent and address school violence effectively.

General upper secondary education 

In general upper secondary education, the government will prioritize broad-based general knowledge and ensure students' eligibility for further studies. The dual model of education, separating general upper secondary and vocational education, will remain in place. To support small schools, additional funding will be made available, and the financing system for general upper secondary education will be revised to reflect the costs of providing education, especially in areas with declining student populations. Reforms will also aim to support students transitioning from upper secondary education to higher education or employment.

The value of upper secondary diplomas will be increased, with a national framework established to allow students to replace one compulsory matriculation exam with a diploma.

Vocational education and training

The goal of vocational education is to ensure students acquire the necessary professional skills and qualifications to enter the workforce or pursue further studies. The government plans to reform the funding model for vocational education to incentivize completion of studies and employment after graduation. Adequate in-person instruction will be ensured, especially for students in compulsory education.

Vocational education will also be closely aligned with the needs of the labor market. The government seeks to expand the use of apprenticeship training and agreements and will explore ways to sell vocational qualifications on the open market. In addition, cooperation between vocational education and businesses will be strengthened to ensure that the curriculum matches the current demands of industries.

Universities of applied sciences (UAS)

Universities of Applied Sciences are tasked with meeting the rapidly changing skill demands of the workforce and supporting regional vitality. The government will continue to support the profiling of UAS institutions, allowing them to specialize in areas of strength and compete internationally. Collaboration with businesses will be expanded to support industrial renewal and address skills shortages in various sectors.

University education

Universities will continue to be developed under the "civic university" model, focusing on fostering critical and analytical thinking. The government is committed to increasing funding for research and development to 4% of GDP by 2030. More resources will be allocated to research infrastructure, and university autonomy will be supported. University admission numbers will also be increased, especially in regions facing significant labor shortages.

Adult education and lifelong learning

Adult education will focus on raising the level of education and improving labor market prospects. The government plans to increase the supply of lifelong learning opportunities and remove barriers to private funding growth. The funding model for vocational education and higher education will be adjusted to support smaller, skill-based learning packages, encouraging continuous learning throughout life. Collaboration with businesses will ensure that the skills provided align with labor market needs.

Program of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government: A strong and committed Finland https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/governments/government-programme#/