Compulsory education and absence prevention in basic education
A person of compulsory education age must attend basic education provided in accordance with the Basic Education Act.
Under section 26, subsection 2 of the Basic Education Act, the education provider must systematically prevent pupils’ absences, monitor the number of absence days, and intervene in absences. Under section 35 of the same Act, pupils must attend basic education unless they have been temporarily exempted for a special reason.
For a special reason, a pupil may be granted permission for temporary absence at the request of the guardian. Permission for a temporary absence of up to five school days may be granted by a class teacher / class supervisor and for a temporary absence of more than five school days by a principal / school director. The principal / school director may grant permission for an absence of up to one month. Permission is granted on a case-by-case basis, considering the interests of the pupil and the effects of the absence on the pupil’s learning and assessment. Temporary absence refers to a one-off absence of limited duration – not a recurring weekly absence throughout the school year (for example due to a hobby).
You can request permission for absence through Wilma under ‘Applications and decisions’ by filling in the form ‘Poissaololuvan hakemus luokanvalvojalle/luokanopettajalle enintään 5 koulupäivän poissaoloa varten’ or ‘Poissaololuvan hakemus rehtorille/koulunjohtajalle yli 5 koulupäivän poissaoloa varten’.
In order to support school engagement, Espoo’s schools emphasise positive encounters, fostering a sense of inclusion and belonging, and respectful communication in everyday interactions.
Pupils’ social and emotional skills are strengthened so that their ability to understand and interpret social situations develops. Pupils are taught self-regulation and emotional control skills and encouraged to consider the ethics of their own behaviour and reflect on and discuss ethical questions. Pupils learn to act in a way that supports the achievement of personal and shared goals without offending others.
Espoo’s primary and lower secondary schools use a model for absence intervention and attendance support. It offers an integrated approach to absence monitoring and intervention. The aim of the model is to support pupils’ wellbeing, growth and learning. Pupils’ absences are addressed at an early stage. Studies show that risk factors increase when absences exceed 10% of school hours. This includes both authorised and unauthorised absences. Teachers enter absences into Wilma and actively monitor them. More information about supporting school engagement: https://www.koulukunnossa.fi/lasnaolomalli/(external link, opens in a new window)