Tasks and Services

Finnish National Board of Education develops education

The FNBE determins the national core curricula for pre-primary, basic and general upper secondary education, the qualifications for vocational education and training (52 qualifications including 113 study programs) as well as competence-based qualifications for adults (350). The agency is also responsible for implementing educational development programmes.

FNBE provides information services

Finnish National Board of Education maintains national and international databases and information services, co-ordinates information networks and services in the education sector, produces indicators data and information for anticipating educational needs, maintains the financing system for the education sector, and publishes training guides.

FNBE produces national evaluation information on the quality and outcome of education:

  • by evaluating learning achievements we contribute to a higher standard of education and national equality
  • by examining the need to improve the educational system through comparative, sector-based and thematic evaluation projects
  • by comparing the results of education in Finland with those in other countries

Evaluation of education

  • quantitative and qualitative indicators will be defined 
  • learning achievements will be evaluated in different school types and levels as follows:
    • basic education: mathematics and mother tongue, regularly
    • basic education: other subjects and themes
    • upper secondary school: themes
    • vocational education for young people and adults: fields and themes
  • extensive evaluation projects, concerning the state of education, lasting 2 - 3 years, will be initiated annually
  • thematic evaluations will be made annually, e.g. in 1999 evaluation of sustainable development in education
  • the development of evaluation methods will be carried on in international co-operation (EU, OECD, Nordic)
    • methods of evaluation will be developed
    • information in the form of indicators will be produced and
    • learning achievements will be compared
    • methods of self-evaluation in schools