One in ten Finnish vocational students needs more support to complete compulsory education, report finds

Up to 10,000 young vocational students across Finland require broader support to fulfill their extended compulsory education, according to a new study by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities (Kuntaliitto), reported by national broadcaster Yle.

The report highlights that while many individual services exist for struggling students, coordination between them remains inadequate. Mental health issues, exhaustion, and difficulties managing daily life were cited as key barriers to attendance. Regional disparities in support availability were also identified as a significant problem.

Some students are left in a gap where they cannot participate in education but also fail to receive necessary rehabilitative services or part-time support from wellbeing services counties, the study noted.

Finland’s extended compulsory education requirement, which raised the school-leaving age to 18, took effect in 2021.