Teachers and Education Staff

Final responsibility and decision-making power concerning teachers and other education staff, their education and working condition, lies with the state, i.e. the Ministry of Education and Children. The legal context on these issues is stipulated in Law on the education and recruitment of teachers and head teachers in Pre-school, Compulsory school and Upper secondary school and further in legislation on education (Legislation on Pre-school, Compulsory school and Upper secondary school). It is also described in education agreements with Municipalities and private school institutions and in contracts with teacher unions. Titles of teachers at Compulsory and Upper secondary level respectively are protected as licensed professions and the same goes for teaching at ECEC level.

Accreditation of private schools lies within the education authorities, following recommendation of respective municipality. Public Upper secondary teachers and headmasters are state employers. In the case of ECEC and compulsory school levelm, teachers and headmasters are municipal employers. Teachers and headmasters in private schools at all levels are hired by respective institution.

General educational requirements to become a ECEC, compulsory and upper secondary school teacher consists of a five-year course programme (masters level or ISCED 7). Most teachers graduate with a Master’s degree in education or in respective field of study together with Teacher Certification Studies. Vocational teachers’ educational requirements include 60 credit units in Teacher Certification Studies in addition to a final diploma in vocational field; such as qualification as Master craftsman in a trade. The 2008 Act  has been fully effective since the autumn of 2012.

Continuing professional development of teachers and head teachers is proposed in laws and arranged in accordance with wage agreement. Usually upper secondary school teachers have min. 80 hours/year for professional development. Compulsory school teachers have 170-90 hours/year, but ECEC teacher have not a set number of hours for their professional development. 

National Council on professional development of teachers, appointed by the Ministry of Education and Children, Association of municipalities, the universities offering teacher education and associations of teachers and headmasters, makes policies on in-service education and professional development.