Just before the school term starts, Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz (SPP) warns municipalities that extra funding earmarked to improve learning at schools must be spent on that and not diverted to other expenditures.
The government has allocated almost 200 million euros in extra spending attached to a raft of educational reforms.
Adlercreutz demands that all municipalities fully provide children with at least three additional hours per week of instruction in basic subjects, as stipulated in the strings attached to the government’s extra spending.
"Municipal decision-makers now have a responsibility to ensure that the money provided by the state for reforms is used for what it is intended for and that it reaches schools," Adlercreutz said in an interview published by the Finnish news agency STT on Sunday.
Most schools open midweek
Nearly all Finnish comprehensive schools re-open this coming week, with most starting classes on Wednesday or Thursday. Dates may vary for some vocational schools, upper secondary schools and preschools. Regardless of start date, the school year ends on 30 May 2026.
The academic year begins amidst changes, with several government reforms coming into effect at the same time. The primary goal of all of them is to combat the decline in learning outcomes among youngsters in Finland and to bolster teachers' opportunities to do their jobs, said Adlercreutz, the chair of the small Swedish People’s Party.
The reforms include more weekly lessons in mathematics, native languages and literature in primary schools, as well as changes to remedial education – and more funding for it.
Also taking effect is a ban on the use of personal mobile devices in classrooms under most circumstances, based on a law ratified last spring. As of this month, primary and secondary school pupils must obtain special permission from teachers to use their phones to assist them in studies or take care of personal matters related to health or safety, for example.
More time for basic skills
"I think that all these reforms together can significantly improve the situation, but of course it will take time," Adlercreutz said.
The most recent Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) figures from two years ago indicated a slump in math, reading and science skills among youth in Finland. As recently as the 2003 and 2006 studies, Finland was among the world’s leading countries in education.
The additional lessons in math, languages and literature are aimed at strengthening children's basic skills by giving them more time for learning in primary school. The precise allocation of hours is up to local school officials.
Cap on pupils needing extra support per class
According to the minister, clear limits have been set on each teacher’s responsibility for students needing extra support. The aim is to strengthen individual support within groups, rather than adjusting the overall curriculum according to the needs of those who need special support, as is often done now, Adlercreutz explained.
That method has led to most students in some classes missing out on learning everything essential, which leads to problems later on, he said.
In the future, each teaching group may have a maximum of five pupils who need a certain level of individual remedial support in one or more subjects.
Approximately 100 million euros have been set aside for this change. However, it’s up to each municipality to decide on how to distribute its allocation.
"There is a quota of money for support provided in the group, which means that in practice municipalities have an obligation to allocate sufficient resources for support. Of course, I hope that municipal decision-makers will ensure that the resources go where they are needed," the minister said.
The reform applies to all students in pre-school, primary and upper secondary education. In vocational education, the change takes effect a year from now.
Also beginning next year, Finland is to begin offering an English-language secondary school option for students who are not fluent in the official languages, Finnish or Swedish.
