This page has been updated with questions and answers from the information event for guardians on 10 April 2025.

Changes in support for learning 2025

The new law will change the support for learning in pre-primary, basic and general upper secondary education as of 1 August 2025.

The aim of the changes to learning support is to clarify and harmonise the forms of support in schools. All learners will continue to have the right to learn and get support throughout their learning path. Support will be provided early and proactively. 

Key changes in pre-primary and basic education

In pre-primary and basic education, the three-level support system (general support – intensified support – special support) will be discontinued.

Teaching will be arranged in a manner that takes the learners’ different needs and capabilities into consideration.

Learning support will be primarily provided group-specifically. All pupils will be entitled to it.

In addition to support provided in the group, the pupil can be provided with pupil-specific support measures. 

Key changes in general upper secondary education

In general upper secondary education, the student’s right to remedial teaching and other guidance and support at an early stage will be strengthened. Going forward, the subject teachers of general upper secondary schools will have a more important role in providing learning support.

The objective of learning support is to strengthen the student’s opportunities to complete the general upper secondary education syllabus. Furthermore, the student will be entitled to special needs education if they need it in order to achieve the learning outcomes due to learning difficulties or other reasons. Going forward, an administrative decision will be issued on the student's special needs education. 

Questions and answers

Organisation of support at schools

Special care decisions, individualised education plans, special educational needs classes

Video: Information event for guardians on 10 April 2025

You can watch the video with English or Finnish or subtitles by selecting ‘Closed captions’ in the bottom right corner of the video.

Watch a recording of the information event in Swedish: Revidering av stöd för lärande 1.8.2025 (Link leads to external service)