After completing basic education, young people of compulsory education age must continue their studies in upper secondary education or take part in transition phase training. Compulsory education provides everyone with the basic knowledge and education needed in life and Finnish society. It also promotes equal opportunities for every child and young person to develop themselves in accordance with their abilities and needs.
It is the responsibility of the municipality of residence to provide guidance on and supervise compulsory education
As a result of the extension of compulsory education, the City of Helsinki must ensure that every young person proceeds to upper secondary education or is provided with other suitable services after basic education. Supervision of compulsory education ensures that every young person either studies or applies for studies.
Sometimes it may be difficult for a young person to find a study path that is suitable for them, apply for a study place or even believe that they can move forward in life. In Helsinki, young people between the ages of 15 and 17 who have been excluded from education are supported by the multi-professional compulsory education team, which young people have been able to meet with at its new office on Teollisuuskatu since April. The new office allows the team members to see each other more often and makes it easier for them to meet with young people.
The compulsory education team consists of education,culture and leisure, and social welfare, health and rescue services professionals. The team also engages in cooperation with families, various stakeholders, educational institutions and experts in various fields. This multi-professional approach is essential, as there are as many reasons for the need for guidance on compulsory education as there are young people.
Compulsory education-aged young people may require guidance and support for various reasons
The young people seeking guidance on compulsory education may struggle with neurodivergent traits, mental health challenges, criminal tendencies or substance abuse problems. Their attempts to find a suitable learning path may also be hindered by societal structures: the young person may be too old for one service, but too young for another.
– Sometimes the root causes of problems can lie so deep that you have to take things slowly, points out Compulsory Education Counsellor Hanna Koponen, – The young person may find it impossible to make the journey to school or enter the school yard, for example. Feelings of anxiety and despair may arise in their mind from things that seem to be perfectly ordinary to you or me.
At the centre of everything is the young person – as their own, unique self
The young person seeking guidance may have been receiving help from various parties for a prolonged period, and the compulsory education team is often their last safety net in terms of education. Because of this, the team pays particular attention to interaction and building trust.
– Many young people get tired of continuously having to share information about themselves and their situation to one adult after another. That is why the first step in our work is to gain the young person’s trust, says Compulsory Education Counsellor Anne Laine, – Our guidance and support are always tailored to meet the needs of the young person, taking their uniqueness into account.
The young person and their guardian can be made to feel more at ease by holding the meeting with them in a public place, at their home or over the phone, for example. Since April, young people seeking guidance have also had the option of visiting the team’s new office at the Helsinki Vocational College and Adult Institute’s unit on Teollisuuskatu.
Despite how demanding it is, the members of the compulsory education team are clearly passionate about their work.
– I know that I have made a difference when I see a young person’s eyes light up with hope for the first time in a long time, says Compulsory Education Specialist Katrina Nylund, – All young people deserve to find their own path and way of learning. Sometimes they are just no longer able to see the possibilities themselves.
When asked what is best about the work of the compulsory education team, the team members answer in unison:
– The young people!
Do you not have a study place or does your child need support in finding a study place? You can submit a contact request to the compulsory education team at oppivelvollisuustiimi@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)
Do you have questions about compulsory education? Check out the City's brochure on compulsory education below. The brochure is available in Finnish, Swedish, English, Somali, Arabic and Russian.
- Brochure on compulsory education in Finnish(Link leads to external service)
- Brochure on compulsory education in Swedish(Link leads to external service)
- Brochure on compulsory education in English(Link leads to external service)
- Brochure on compulsory education in Arabic(Link leads to external service)
- Brochure on compulsory education in Somali(Link leads to external service)
- Brochure on compulsory education in Russian(Link leads to external service)