The legislative framework for and general principles of education policy are enacted by Parliament. The Government, the Ministry of Education and the National Board of Education are responsible for implementing this policy at the central administration level. There are no other central administrative units in the education sector in Finland.

For the purposes of regional administration Finland is divided into twelve provinces. Local administration is managed by the municipalities. Each school can and usually does have a managing board (see institutional administration). There is no separate school inspectorate. National guidance of the education system is at the discretion of the Government, the Ministry of Education and the National Board of Education.

Structure of education

(1) Pre-school education, day care
The main forms of day care are the kindergarten/day care centres (Päiväkoti/Daghem) for children up to the age of 6, and family day care. 6 to 7 year olds can follow pre-school education in day care centres or in comprehensive schools.

(2) Comprehensive school
Peruskoulu, the comprehensive school, lasts nine years, but can also provide pre-school education for six year olds and an optional tenth grade for those who have completed their compulsory education.

(3) Upper secondary school
Lukio, the upper secondary school, provides three years of general education leading to the national matriculation examination.

(4) Vocational schools and colleges
Basic vocational training (2-3 years) is given in multi disciplinary or specialized vocational schools. Higher vocational education (3-5 years) is usually given at specialized colleges which can be entered either after comprehensive school or (usually) after compleed secondary level studies. Apprenticeship is provided as an alternative route to these qualifications. Ammattikorkeakoulu is a new Fachhochschule-type institution of higher vocational education whose 3-4 year programmes lead to an academic degree.

(5) Universitites
The basic university degree (candidate, master's degree) consists of three stages and takes 5-6 years to complete.

Adult education
Finnish adult education enjoys a rather independent status, as its whole existence is based on individual educational organizations. Finnish adults have a large variety of options between different types of education, institutes, and methods of teaching.

Financing

Responsibility for education provision, construction and financing is divided between the State and local authorities; universities are financed directly from the state budget. A separate Act stipulates the distribution of financial responsibility for comprehensive schools, upper secondary schools and vocational education. The principles of public financing are the same irrespective of the owner of the school or institution. More details

Basic principles

In June 1993, the Council of State made a decision in principle on the development of the Finnish education system in the 1990s. According to this decision, the role of education and scientific research in the national development strategy will be reinforced. The main aims of education and science policy are: to maintain a high and wide-ranging level of education; to promote the spiritual growth of the nation; to encourage initiative and enterprise; to improve the quality of education and research; to expand the industrial base and consolidate the innovation process; to harmonise work, education and changing life situations; to develop professional skills and increase employment. Background