Government policy recommendations for providers of early childhood education and care, pre-primary education, primary and lower secondary education, general upper secondary education, vocational education, higher education, liberal education and basic art education in order to slow down the spread of coronavirus infections

In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Government has adopted policy recommendations for the providers of early childhood education and care, pre-primary education, primary and lower secondary education, general upper secondary education, vocational education and higher education . This way we can safeguard early childhood education and care as well as education and the completion of examinations and qualifications and student admissions despite the coronavirus outbreak.

Recommendations for early childhood education and care and pre-primary education

Early childhood education and care units and the pre-primary education organised in connection with them will be kept in operation. This will ensure access to early childhood education and care for the children of employees who work in sectors critical to the functioning of society and enable parents to work. However, the Government recommends that, whenever possible, children be cared for at home.

Recommendations for primary and lower secondary education

School premises will be closed until 13 April 2020 and contact teaching will be suspended. Instruction and guidance will be organised by means of exceptional teaching arrangements. Schools will make any necessary decisions on special arrangements for each pupil separately.

As an exception, however, pre-primary education organised in schools and contact teaching for pupils in grades 1 to 3 will continue for the children of parents who work in sectors critical to the functioning of society. Pupils who have a special support decision will also be provided contact teaching where necessary. However, the Government recommends that, whenever possible, such children be cared for at home. These arrangements will enter into force on Wednesday 18 March 2020.

Recommendations for general upper secondary education, vocational education, universities of applied sciences, universities, basic art education and liberal education

The premises of schools, educational institutions, universities, universities of applied sciences, basic art education as well as civic education and other liberal education institutes will be closed until 13 April 2020, and contact teaching will be suspended. Teaching and guidance will be organised as widely as possible in alternative ways, including distance learning, various digital learning environments and solutions and, where necessary, independent learning. 

These arrangements will enter into force on Wednesday 18 March 2020.

Condensed schedule for the matriculation examination

A decision by the Matriculation Examination Board and the Ministry of Education and Culture made on 13 March means that the schedule for the tests of the matriculation examination is condensed. The Government's updated recommendation does not bring any changes to the decision.
The Matriculation Examination Board has given instructions to ensure that the tests be organised in such a way that the candidates and supervisors can work in a safe environment.

Other facilities

All national and municipal museums, theatres, the National Opera, cultural venues, libraries, mobile libraries, services for customer and researchers at the National Archives, hobby and leisure centres, swimming pools and other sports facilities, youth centres, clubs, organisations’ meeting rooms, day care services for the elderly, rehabilitative work facilities and workshops will be closed until 13 April. Private and third-sector operators and religious communities are advised to do the same.

Government policy for universities, universities of applied sciences, general upper secondary education, vocational education, liberal education, basic art education, primary and lower secondary education and early childhood education and care during the coronavirus pandemic of 16 March (pdf) (in Finnish)
 
Inquiries: Anita Lehikoinen, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Culture, tel. +358 2953 30182

Updated 17 March 2020 at 10:54