The extension of compulsory education

This is a big change, because until 2020 compulsory education ended with comprehensive school.

From now on, compulsory education will continue until the age of 18 or until the person has completed upper secondary education.

Ninth-graders must apply in the joint application from 22 February to 22 March 2022 for either upper secondary education, TUVA- Preparatory education for programs leading to upper secondary qualification or TELMA-Special vocational education.

All these things are free of charge for students who finish basic education after 1 January 2021 and continue their studies in e.g. vocational training or general upper secondary school:

• teaching
• daily meals
• learning materials and computers
• tools, clothing and materials needed for the studies
• the five exams required for the completion of the matriculation examination at the end of general upper secondary school and the retests of these exams if failed
• school trips of at least seven kilometers

• Personal equipment, such as musical instruments or sports equipment, required in training that emphasises active pursuit
• Reasonable fees may be charged for voluntary activities (e.g. trips or visits).

A young person can study free of charge until the end of the calendar year in which they turn 20. The entitlement to free education ends when the student has completed an upper secondary degree or, if a student is completing two degrees, both of these degrees.

The compulsory and statutorily free education does not apply to young people who completed basic education before 1 January 2021, such as those who are currently

• without a study place,
• in additional basic education, i.e. the 10th grade,
• in preparatory education for general upper secondary education,
• in preparatory education for vocational education or in upper secondary education.

However, an education provider may decide to offer free education to a wider set of students than statutorily required.

At school, the young people get acquainted with upper secondary studies and their selection with a guidance counsellor.

At home, you can browse the selection together with your teenager in the studyinfo.fi(extrernal link) service or on the websites of educational institutions, for example.

• General Upper Secondary Education in Espoo(extrernal link)
• TUVA -Preparatory education for programs leading to an upper secondary qualification(extrernal link) (Omnia)
• Vocational studies (extrernal link)(Omnia)
• Live Foundation(extrernal link) (Vocational Special Education)
• VALMA education (pre-vocational training)(extrernal link) (Until 1. august 2022 Live Foundation)
• TELMA education (Preparatory and Rehabilitative Training)(extrernal link) (extrernal link)

There are more than 60 professionals in Ohjaamotalo, the One-Stop Guidance Centre(extrernal link), to support you in your various needs and different life situations.

Here, you can get help with your studies, career choice and job-seeking. We can offer you both individual guidance and targeted group activities. If you do not know where to start, check out the animated video below or stop by at the Starttipiste.

After joint application -page provides details on how to proceed when you have received a study place and when you have not.

Espoo is preparing for the extension of compulsory education.
More information:

• Tapio Erma, Executive Superintendent of Upper Secondary Education, City of Espoo, tapio.erma@espoo.fi 
• Barbro Högström, Director of Svenska bildningstjänster, City of Espoo, barbro.hogstrom@esbo.fi  
• Maija Aaltola, Principal, Omnia, maija.aaltola@omnia.fi
• Jaakko Turpeinen, Education Planning Chief
  jaakko.turpeinen@espoo.fi