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Basic Education and Preparatory Education
(7–16-year-olds)
Basic education is free education for 7–16-year-olds, in which pupils acquire general knowledge and skills for future studies and life. Basic education is legally compulsory for every child in Finland. In Finland, teachers are highly educated and the quality of teaching is high in every school.
Preparatory education is intended for pupils who have recently moved to Finland and whose language skills are not yet sufficient for studying in Finnish.
For whom?
In Finland, a child starts basic education in the year in which he or she turns 7 years old. Basic education comprises grades 1–9 and usually lasts nine years.
Preparatory education
In a preparatory education class, a child may start at any age between 7 and 16, and the same group includes pupils of different ages. Preparatory education lasts one year, and at the end the pupil transfers to a basic education grade corresponding to his or her age level.
Where?
Hämeenlinna has 21 basic schools: lower-level schools (grades 1–6), upper-level schools (grades 7–9), and comprehensive schools (grades 1–9). Preparatory education is provided in seven schools.
Explore Hämeenlinna’s schools
What is done?
Pupils take part in a supervised school day, during which they study subjects common to all as well as optional subjects they have chosen themselves.
In preparatory education, pupils become familiar with attending school and learn to study in Finnish. An individual study programme is prepared for each pupil according to age, competence, and objectives.
The school day also includes short breaks and a hot lunch.
If your child requires a special diet for health or ethical reasons, please notify us of the special diet in advance. Complete the electronic form:
Schedule
The school year usually begins in August and ends at the end of May or the beginning of June. The length of the school day varies across different grades.
What does it cost?
Teaching, learning materials, lunch, and student welfare services are free of charge. Student welfare refers to services such as those provided by the school nurse, school psychologist, and school social worker.
Explore student welfare services:
How to apply for a place?
During basic education, a child is enrolled in school twice: at the age of 7 for grade 1 and at the age of 13 for grade 7. A child aged 7–16 may be enrolled in preparatory education at any time. The basic education administration decides on the appropriate preparatory education group for the pupil.
If the pupil does not have a Finnish personal identity code or the personal identity code is not known, use the suffix AXXXX in the application’s personal identity code field.
All enrolments are made in the Wilma system.
If you need help completing the school application, please visit International Family Guidance.
Other basic education services
Mother-tongue instruction
For whom: Pupils whose mother tongue is a language other than Finnish or Swedish. The same group may include pupils of different ages and grade levels. Instruction is provided if at least 4 pupils enrol for the same language and if a teacher is available for the group.
Where: Instruction is provided at a school. Instruction does not necessarily take place at the child’s own school. Instruction is held outside the school day, 2 × 45 minutes at a time.
The guardian is responsible for the child’s transport to and from the lesson. The City does not pay for or arrange transport.
What is done: The objective of mother-tongue instruction is for the pupil to develop an interest in his or her own language, to develop language skills and thinking, and to strengthen the pupil’s self-esteem and identity.
What does it cost: Mother-tongue instruction is free of charge.
How to apply for a place: Enrolment for instruction is done in Wilma. Participation in mother-tongue instruction is voluntary.
Enrolment for mother-tongue instruction is closed for the 2026–2027 school year, but you may enquire about available places: perusopetus@hameenlinna.fi
School transport
If the child’s journey to school is long or the child has health reasons to receive school transport, you may apply to the City for school travel support. For the school journey, you may receive a bus card paid for by the City or taxi transport.
Grades 1–2: the journey to school is longer than 3 km
Grades 3–9: the journey to school is longer than 5 km
School transport is applied for in Wilma.
If you are unable to apply for transport in Wilma, you may apply for it using an electronic application: School transport application
Morning and afternoon activities
For whom: In Hämeenlinna’s schools, morning and afternoon activities are available to all pupils in grades 1–2 and to pupils in grades 3–9 who have a decision on individualised support or who have another learning-related limitation.
Where: Morning and afternoon activities are provided at certain schools between 7:00 and 17:00 before the school day and after the school day.
What is done: Morning and afternoon activities support the child’s well-being, social skills, and safe leisure time. Morning and afternoon activities have trained supervisors who organise various activities for the children. In the activities, for example, children go outdoors, play, do crafts, rest, and do homework.
What does it cost: The activities are subject to a fee. The fee includes activity supervision, a snack (in the afternoon), materials, and insurance.
How to apply for a place: Applications for morning and afternoon activities for the following school year are made in December–February. You may also apply to join the activities later, but places cannot be guaranteed for all applicants in that case. Applications for the activities are made using an electronic form (requires authentication with online banking credentials/mobile certificate):
If you are unable to complete the electronic application, you may complete a paper application: Application for morning and afternoon activities for the 2026–2027 school year
The application is returned to the address City of Hämeenlinna, Education Services / APIP, Wetterhoffinkatu 2, 13100 Hämeenlinna or by email to laura.waulu@hameenlinna.fi
Fee waiver: Guardians have the opportunity to apply for a fee waiver for the morning and afternoon activities fee if the family receives income support or if the family’s financial or social situation requires it. A fee waiver is applied for using an electronic form:
What is Wilma?
Wilma is an electronic communication and administration system used by schools. Through it, pupils, guardians, and teachers manage matters related to school attendance.
Further information
Contact us
For matters related to basic education, you will be assisted by International Family Guidance Service and basic education service guidance.
Support for families with children
Does daily life with children feel overwhelming? You don’t have to face it alone – Oma Häme offers easily accessible support.
