Training
Finland has compulsory education which is fulfilled by
leaving primary school (9 years) or otherwise acquiring
equivalent knowledge. The current elementary school system
was introduced in 1972–77, the school law was last revised
in 2003.
The first six classes form the low school and the last
three classes the high school. Six-year-olds have the right
to voluntary preschool education, which is arranged e.g. in
day care centers or schools. Basic education can also be
supplemented by a one-year voluntary extension. At the lower
stage, the teaching is given by class teachers and at the
secondary level by subject teachers.
 About 8% of the lower and upper secondary schools in
Finland are Swedish-speaking. In Finnish-language schools,
teaching in Swedish is compulsory, but Swedish is no longer
a compulsory language in the student's degree. It is
currently being discussed (2006) whether teaching in Swedish
should be voluntary. The municipal school system is expected
to teach all children of compulsory school age, but the
number of alternative schools has increased.
From the beginning of the 1990s, all students are
guaranteed within two years of completing compulsory
education either at a vocational school or at a high school.
Approximately 60% of one year of study continues after
compulsory school in high school. The upper secondary school
is a year-round, general education school in the form of a
course that ends with the nationwide student degree. The
training is planned for three years and can be completed in
2-4 years. The high school is also being developed by
increasing the students' individual choices. The colleges
can profile themselves and emphasize in their teaching eg.
visual arts, natural sciences or sports. It is possible to
study for the International IB degree (International
Baccalaureate) in 14 colleges, and education leading to
the German Reifeprüfungdegree is given in a high
school. Tuition in primary and secondary schools is free of
charge, except that the students in high school pay for
their books themselves. The school should also provide the
student with a meal a day, and the schools can also arrange
school transfers and overnight stays in boarding schools.
In 2006, there were 211 vocational training institutes in
Finland, of which about 20 were Swedish-speaking. The
training period for the vocational basic degree is three
years. A three-year vocational basic degree gives
qualifications for applying for education at the university
level, both for vocational colleges and for universities. It
has also become more and more common to study at the same
time for a vocational degree and a bachelor's degree. In
many places, vocational education institutions have merged
regionally and formed vocational colleges with the right to
give a lower university degree. In 2006, there were 31
vocational colleges. See TOPSCHOOLSINTHEUSA for TOEFL, ACT, SAT testing locations and high school codes in Finland.
In Finland, there are 10 universities and 11 specialized
universities. Swedish speakers are, for example. the Turku
Academy nationalized during the 1980s, with operations also
in Vaasa and Jakobstad, and the Swedish School of Business
in Helsinki, with operations also in Vaasa. University
education in Swedish is also given through 23 professorships
(since 1947) in central subject areas in all faculties
(except the theological) at the University of Helsinki, and
in connection with this also operates the Swedish Social and
Municipal University. The Helsinki University of Technology
also has a couple of Swedish-speaking professorships. All
colleges and universities conduct research and provide
postgraduate education. The universities also organize eg.
summer and week-end courses within the framework of the open
university, as well as continuing education and employment
courses for higher education graduates.
In Finland there are 88 folk high schools (2006), of
which almost half are Christian folk high schools and just
over a third are "unbound" so-called Tigvian schools. The
others are affiliated with organizations or specialized
public colleges. Citizens 'and workers' institutes, which
organize courses in many different subjects, are very
popular. The courses, which are virtually free of charge,
are open to anyone who is 16 years of age. The municipal
compulsory schools, the upper secondary schools and the
basic vocational education are subject to the Board of
Education through the municipalities' school boards.
Vocational colleges and universities are under the Ministry
of Education; issues related to the research of the
universities are handled by the Academy of Finland. The
private educational institutions are also monitored by the
public authorities.
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