Peruskoulutus

Peruskoulutus, or peruskoulu, is Finland's compulsory nine-year comprehensive education system. It is designed to provide all children and young people with a common, equitable foundation for lifelong learning. The system is administered by municipalities but guided by national policy, notably the National Core Curriculum prepared by the Finnish National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus).

Peruskoulu covers grades 1 to 9, typically for ages 7 to 16, and is usually divided into primary grades 1–6 and lower secondary grades 7–9. The curriculum emphasizes equality, inclusion, and student wellbeing, and is delivered in Finnish or Swedish, with some schools offering instruction in other languages.

Curriculum and assessment: The National Core Curriculum defines aims and subject areas such as mother tongue and literature, a second national language, mathematics, sciences, social studies, arts and crafts, physical education, and ethics or religion. Teaching is student-centered and inclusive, with attention to individual learning needs and the use of personal learning plans (oppimissuunnitelma). Assessment is primarily formative and continuous; there are no national standardized exams for each year. At the end of grade 9, students receive a peruskoulun päättötodistus (leaving certificate), which enables applying to upper secondary education or vocational training.

Support and inclusion: The system provides early support for learners facing difficulties, with a range of measures from classroom-based adaptation to special education services when needed.

Outlook: Completing peruskoulutuksen leads to upper secondary education (lukio) or vocational education and training. Peruskoulutus is central to Finland’s emphasis on equity and high-quality education.