Education for immigrants

Pupils who do not have sufficient Finnish language skills to study at their own local school will study their first school year in preparatory education. Preparatory education is centralized at the Kalevala Comprehensive School (age group 7 - 13) and Pyörö Comprehensive School (age group 13 - 17). The other option for those children who can study in English is bilingual programme (Finnish-English) in certain cases. Bilingual programme is organized in Rajala Comprehensive School (age group 7 - 13) and in Hatsala Classical Comprehensive School (age group 13 - 16). Language skills are tested before a decision is made.

Preparatory education

All children of basic education (age group 7–17 years) whose Finnish skills are insufficient to study in their local school are entitled to preparatory education. Preparatory education is preparing programme, which acquaints children with Finnish school system, culture and teaching methods. The aim of the preparing programme is to develop pupils' Finnish language skills and general readiness for Finnish school. Preparing programme is not class- or year-based. As pupils' proficiency in Finnish improves, they can begin to participate in Finnish lessons (integration lessons). Preparing programme comprises 900 hours (age group 6 - 10) or 1 000 hours (age group 11 - 17) that generally takes one year to complete.

If Pyörö and Kalevala Comprensive Schools are too far away from child's home, it is possible to study in a preparatory education in a local school. These kind of situations will be compromised separately with coordinator.