The Basic Education Act regulates the subjects included in the curriculum and student counselling. The Government decides on the overall time allocation by defining the minimum number of lessons for core subjects during basic education. In grades 1–6, pupils usually receive the same education, but schools may focus on different subjects in different ways due to the flexible time allocation. In grades 7–9, more elective subjects are included in the curriculum. The curriculum also includes a workplace guidance period. Pupils’ parents or other guardians decide which of the elective subjects on offer the pupil will take.

Basic education is governed by the Basic Education Act (628/1998) and Basic Education Decree (852/1998) and the Government Decree on the General National Objectives and Distribution of Lesson Hours in Basic Education (1435/2001[J1] ). The present distribution of lesson hours was confirmed by the Government in 2001 and implemented together with the latest national core curriculum.

These regulations stipulate such matters as the core subjects taught to all pupils, and the distribution of teaching hours between various subjects. The core subjects taught to all pupils in the basic education syllabus are the mother tongue and literature (Finnish or Swedish), the other official language, one foreign language, environmental studies, health education, religion or ethics, history, social studies, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, physical education, music, art and crafts, and home economics. Guidance counselling must also be provided for students. In addition, optional subjects are taught, which are determined locally by local authorities and schools.

The national core curriculum is determined by the Finnish National Board of Education. It includes the objectives and core contents of different subjects, as well as the principles of pupil assessment, special-needs education, pupil welfare and educational guidance. The principles of a good learning environment, working approaches as well as the concept of learning are also addressed in the core curriculum. The present national core curriculum for basic education was confirmed in January 2004 and it was introduced in schools in August 2006.

The education providers, usually the local education authorities and the schools themselves draw up their own curricula for pre-primary and basic education within the framework of the national core curriculum. These curricula may be prepared for individual municipalities or institutions or include both sections.