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).
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.
Anja Karhunen
+358 44 718 4331
anja.karhunen(at)kuopio.fi
Outi Karikoski
+358 44 718 4801
outi.karikoski(at)kuopio.fi
Bilingual programme (Finnish-English)
+358 44 718 4351
saila.tirkkonen(at)kuopio.fi
Jaana Koivistoinen
+358 44 718 4501
jaana.koivistoinen(at)kuopio.fi
Basic education for adults (age group 17 and more)
There are three different states in basic educations for adults:
The most of the study groups starts in August and some groups in January. If there are any free places in groups, there is a possibility to start studies also in some other time. Free study places can be asked straight from the school/college.
Education coordinator, Kuopion kansalaisopisto
Johanna Jussila
+358 44 718 4714
johanna.jussila(at)kuopio.fi
Preparatory education in Kuopio
Educational Pathways
More information