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Education in Finland
The Education system in Finland is egalitarian method of schooling, with the absence of tuition fees and free food served to the fulltime learners. The current education system of Finland is well devised and properly funded with daycare plan for toddlers and babies, kinder garden or preschool for 6 year old, a 9 year mandatory fundamental complete education beginning from the seventh year and completing at 16th year of age, a vocational learning, higher learning (Polytechnic and University), and adult (continuing and lifelong) education.
Basic Comprehensive education
In Finland, the Basic Comprehensive education is a 9 year complete education. During this period attendance is compulsory (homeschooling is permitted, but only in exceptional cases).
Up to the University stage, the schools are funded completely and are operated by the local bodies (the municipalities of Finland). Private schools are present only in few numbers, and it requires the consent of the Council of State for establishing a new private complete school. Once a private school is setup, it receives a grant from the Government; the acceptance of tuition fees is strictly prohibited. Apart from this facility, students studying in a private school are entitled to all types of social privileges similar to the one provided in Municipal school.
During the initial years of comprehensive schooling, the grades are restricted to verbal appraisal somewhat than official ranking. Normally the marks are given on from 4 to 10 levels, however not on fundamental education certificate or school year statement.
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Upper secondary education
At the age of 16 or 17 years, the upper secondary education starts, and it exists for a period of 3 to 4 years (approximately equivalent to American high school’s last two years in addition to what would be a 2 year Junior college or Community). Depending on GPA, the students are admitted to the educational upper schools. It is feasible to attend simultaneously both educational and vocational secondary schools. There are no tuition fees and the academic and occupational students are at the liberty to have free lunch and school fitness care. On graduation, the graduates of the vocational school get their vocational school certificate.
Tertiary education
In the system of Tertiary education, there are two division, polytechnics and universities. Depending on the final gymnasium GPA, the state matriculation test and entrance exams, the admissions are made. The selection procedure is completely translucent, merit dependent and goal.
Some of the renowned universities in Finland
University of Helsinki
University of Turku
University of Tampere
Abo Akademi University in Turku