Compulsory education

The aim of compulsory education is to raise the level of education and skills at all levels of education, narrow lea ing gaps, promote educational equality and equity, and improve the well-being of children and young people. 

Compulsory education ends when a young person tu s 18 or has completed a secondary degree (matriculation examination or vocational qualification) before that age. 

The education provider is responsible for ensuring that young people enrol in secondary education and commence their studies after completing basic education, as well as for monitoring their compulsory education at the educational institution and their progress in accordance with the objectives. The municipality of residence is responsible for guiding and supervising young people who do not have a place at an educational institution. Guardians are obliged to ensure that young people fulfil their compulsory education requirements. 

Every ninth-grade pupil completing comprehensive school is obliged to apply for and continue in upper secondary education, transitional education or other education covered by compulsory education.   

As a rule, places in secondary education are applied for through a joint application process organised in the spring. In addition to the joint application process, pupils can apply for education through a continuous application process. Guardians are responsible for ensuring that young people apply for education after completing their basic education. 

Secondary education can be a matriculation examination or a vocational qualification. Transitional education or other compulsory education may include, for example, TUVA (preparation for working life) or TELMA (preparation for work and independent living) education, or Opistovuosi (College Year) education organised by folk high schools for those subject to compulsory education. 

The study counsellors at your school will provide you with guidance and advice on different educational options. You are entitled to receive intensive study guidance or more personalised intensive support. After completing basic education, those who have not been accepted to further education are entitled to additional guidance during the summer. Once

a young person has secured a place at an educational institution, the secondary education provider (upper secondary school or vocational school) is responsible for monitoring and investigating the student’s commencement of studies, progress and completion of compulsory education.  

Students receive support during their studies, and their compulsory education is monitored. The educational institution, the municipality of residence and the guardian are responsible for guiding and supervising the completion of compulsory education. 

If a young person does not get a place in the spring joint application process, they will receive guidance until they start their studies in upper secondary education or transition phase education. Until the end of August, guidance will be provided at their own school. After that, the responsibility for guidance will be transferred from the school. In Tuusula, compulsory education is supervised and guided by the head of growth and lea ing support. 

A person subject to compulsory education has the right to interrupt their compulsory education for a fixed period.

• long-term illness or disability preventing the fulfilment of compulsory education

• during mate ity, pate ity or parental leave

• for a temporary stay abroad lasting at least one month, if the person subject to compulsory education is participating in education abroad that is equivalent to compulsory education or can otherwise be considered to be fulfilling their compulsory education requirements during their stay abroad 

• due to other compelling reasons related to life circumstances that prevent the fulfilment of compulsory education. 

A person subject to compulsory education has the right to suspend their compulsory education indefinitely only if the illness or disability preventing them from completing their compulsory education is permanent in nature.  

The education provider makes the decision on suspending compulsory education. If the person subject to compulsory education is not a student at any education provider, the decision on suspension is made by the municipality of residence. Suspension must be applied for in writing.