Perustaitot

Perustaitot are foundational skills considered essential for participating in modern society. They cover core competences needed in daily life, school, and work, and are used in Finnish educational policy and adult education to describe the minimum level of functioning expected of all learners. The term typically includes basic literacy and numeracy, digital literacy, and broader cognitive and social skills such as communication, problem solving, and the ability to learn independently.

Typical areas of perustaitot include reading, writing, and mathematics; digital literacy and information literacy; oral and written communication; collaboration and interpersonal skills; learning-to-learn competencies (planning, monitoring progress, adapting strategies); financial literacy; and health and safety knowledge. The exact composition can vary by program and by the target group.

In schools, perustaitot are addressed through the national core curriculum and grade-level expectations, with assessment integrated into coursework and learning outcomes. In adult education and vocational training, programs explicitly aim to raise perustaitot to levels that enable further study, meaningful work, and independent living. The emphasis on perustaitot reflects commitments to lifelong learning, social inclusion, and workforce resilience in a rapidly changing economy, including digital transformation and demographic changes.