Children who live permanently in Finland are subject to compulsory education. Compulsory education begins the year the child turns seven.
The compulsory education will be extended in 2021 so that from now on, all ninth-graders have to apply to upper secondary education. Compulsory education ends when the student turns 18 or when student graduates from upper secondary level before the age of 18.
The extension of compulsory education is also a promise of free upper secondary education. Free upper secondary education ends when the student turns 20, or when a student graduates from upper secondary level.
In basic education, teaching, school healthcare, all study materials and school meals are free. Sometimes transportation to and from school is also free.
The City of Oulu Department of Education runs 46 basic education schools, one of which is for children with special needs. The state-owned Oulun normaalikoulu (the Oulu University Teacher Training School) and privately-owned Svenska Privatskolan i Uleåborg, Oulun steinerkoulu, Oulun kristillinen koulu and Taikatahdin koulu are also located on Oulu.
Oulu International School
The City of Oulu Department of Education also runs an international school - Oulu International School, OIS - for pupils in grades one to nine. Teaching and other activities are mostly provided in English. The curriculum is based on the local basic education curriculum and IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) programmes.
For more information, please visit the OIS school website.
Read more: The ABCs of comprehensive school
Read more: Enrolling in school
Read more: Afternoon care after the school day
Read more: Education in Finland and in Oulu
Read more: Schools in Finland - This works! (Technology Industries of Finland)
Transport benefit application for a pupil in a special class and at Oulu International
School for the academic year 2023–2024 (pdf)
