Osion ääriviiva

◄2. Support in Early Childhood Education
►4. Guidance and Counselling throughout the school years


    • All students in Finland have the right to receive the support they need to achieve success. In the next video, Adjunct Professor Matti Kuorelahti, tells us how the special education system is an important a success factor of Finnish schools.


      The Finnish basic education system is based on the philosophy of inclusion, with the aim of education being equal. Pupils with special educational needs are included in mainstream education and in small groups when needed. Education in a special class or school is still possible. However, all children are supported individually to ensure that they can successfully complete their basic education. The available special educational support, which is rather extensive, is characterised by a low threshold and flexibility in getting the support/special education. Teachers make decisions regarding support based on students’ needs observed in everyday pedagogical practice. No formal medical diagnoses are required. Part-time special education is one way to support special educational needs. To learn more about Finnish special education support, listen to Professor Mikko Aro in ‘Support in basic education’.


      Next, special needs education teacher Satu Jokinen tells about her work.


    • Important information: Reform of learning support Sivu
      Opiskelijoiden täytyy
      Merkitse tehdyksi

      Learning support was reformed in pre-primary and basic education as well as in upper secondary education at the beginning of August 2025. The processes and concepts of learning support have also changed. The previous concepts of general, intensified, and special support are no longer used in pre-primary or basic education. Intensive support learning plans, decisions on special support, and personal plans for organizing support must be changed to comply with the new law by August 31, 2026, at the latest.

      Learn more...

    • Read information about Valteri

      Valteri, a national Centre for Learning and Consulting, supports the neighbourhood school principle by offering a wide range of services for general, intensified and special support. Valteri also has six units for pupils with multiple needs in learning and school attendance.  For more information, see Valteri - Support for Learning and School Attendance - YouTube    Support for learning and school attendance - Valteri website

      (Spoken in Finnish, subtitled in English)

    • Course material:

      Please click: Paloniemi, A., Pulkkinen,J., Kärnä, E. & Björn, P.M. (2021).The Work of Special Education Teachers in the Tiered Support System: The Finnish Case. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research. 


    • Quiz True or false Tentti

      Test your knowledge: Do you agree or disagree with these statements?

      After you have completed the “True or false” assignment, click “Submit all and finish”.
      If all your choices were correct, that’s great! If not, please try the assignment again. Click “Try the quiz again”.

      Saatavilla vasta, kun: Aktiviteetti Starting point on suoritettu
◄2. Support in Early Childhood Education
►4. Guidance and Counselling throughout the school years