SMART Community Review (SCR) Teacher education in Finland | Page 13

Every pupil and student has the right to
educational support
The current thinking in Finland is that the
potential of each pupil should be maximised.
Therefore educational guidance is seen as
essential. Guidance and counselling aims to
support, help and guide pupils and students
so that they can all perform as well as possible
in their studies and be able to make correct
and appropriate decisions
concerning their education and
careers.
Guidance and counselling
is seen as the work of all
education personnel. Thus
teachers are required to treat
children and young people as
individuals and help them to
proceed according to their own
capabilities. Learners should
also experience success and
joy of learning. Today all pupils
and students have the right
to educational support. This
support can be remedial instruction or support
for the pupil’s special needs.
Special needs education is generally
provided in conjunction with mainstream
education
In Finland the ideology is to provide special needs
education primarily in mainstream education. All
pupils of compulsory school age have the right to
general support, that is, high-quality education
as well as guidance and support. Intensified
support must be given to those pupils who need
regular support measures or several forms of
support at the same time. The aim is to prevent
existing problems from becoming more serious
Equity in education 7