General education
General education refers to education whose purpose is to provide general knowledge, information and skills that will help individuals act and impact society.
General education comprises pre-primary, primary, lower secondary, general upper secondary education and other non-vocational studies, such as those at liberal adult education institutions. It also includes morning and afternoon activities and basic art education. General education also incorporates matters related to pupil and student welfare. The Ministry of Education and Culture drafts legislation and government resolutions concerning general education, and coordinates activities in its administrative branch.
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Policies and development »
The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for developing pre-primary, primary, lower secondary and general upper secondary education and other general education in accordance with the policies laid out in the Government Programme.
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Legislation governing general education »
A list of statutes.
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Primary and secondary education »
Pre-primary, primary and lower secondary education, morning and afternoon activities as well as support for learning and school attendance.
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General upper secondary education »
General upper secondary education and matriculation examination.
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Basic art education »
General syllabus (music, painting and drawing, theatre arts, language arts, handicrafts, dance, audiovisual art, circus art and architecture) Advanced syllabus (music, painting and drawing, dance, theatre arts, handicrafts, circus arts and architecture).
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Liberal adult education »
Folk high schools, adult education centres, and community colleges.
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Advisory organisations »
Home economics advisory organisations and crafts organisations
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Pupil and student welfare »
The services of a psychologist, school social worker and public health nurse at schools and educational institutions, advanced and special needs support as well as prevention of social exclusion.
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Administration and financing of general education »
Licenses for education provision, central government transfers and subsidies.
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Statistics and studies on general education »
Research and statistical data.
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Curricula and qualifications - see Finnish National Agency for Education's webpages