SMART Community Review (SCR) Teacher education in Finland | Page 12

Equity in education
One of the basic principles of Finnish education
is that all people must have equal access to
high-quality education and training. The same
educational opportunities should be available
to all citizens irrespective of their ethnic origin,
age, wealth or where they live.
Education is free
at all levels
In Finland education is free
at all levels from pre-primary
to higher education. In pre-
primary and basic education
the textbooks, daily meal and
transportation for students
living further away from the
school are free for the parents.
At upper secondary level
and in higher education the
students themselves or their
parents purchase their own
books. At upper secondary level
the students have the right
to a free meal and in higher
education meals are subsidised
by the state. Adult education is
the only form of education that
may require payment.
To ensure the opportunities
to study for everyone there is a
well-developed system of study
grants and loans. Financial aid
can be awarded for full-time
study in an upper secondary
school, vocational institution or
institution of higher education.
6  Finnish education in a nutshell
The potential
of every
individual
should be
maximised.