124837 Recognition of Foreign Teaching Qualifications in Finland

7/30/2019 124837 Recognition of Foreign Teaching Qualifications in Finland

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RECOGNITION OF FOREIGNTEACHING QUALIFICATIONS

IN FINLAND

Publications 2010:1


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RECOGNITION OF FOREIGNTEACHING QUALIFICATIONSIN FINLAND

Publications 2010:1


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Finnish National Board o Education

Publications 2010:1

ISBN 978-952-13-4478-7 (pb)

ISBN 978-952-13-4479-4 (pd)

www.oph.f/english

Edita Prima Oy, Helsinki 2010


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CONTENTS

1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 4

2. Recognition o proessional teaching qualifcations obtained byEU/EEA citizens in an EU/EEA state ..................................................... 6

2.1 Decision-making principles ................................................................ 6

2.2 Compensation measure and fnal decision ........................................ 7

2.3 Examples o decisions ......................................................................... 8

2.3.1 Class teachers ............................................................................ 8

2.3.2 Subject teachers ....................................................................... 10

2.3.3 Special needs teachers ............................................................ 12

2.3.4 Special kindergarten teachers ................................................. 13

2.3.5 Kindergarten teachers and teachers providingpre-primary education ............................................................ 14

2.3.6 Kindergarten teachers ............................................................. 16

3. Teaching qualifcations rom another Nordic country...................... 17

4. Comparability o teacher training obtained outside the EU/EEA... 18

4.1 Decision-making principles and supplementary

studies required in decisions ............................................................ 18

4.2 Examples o decisions ....................................................................... 19

4.2.1 Class teachers .......................................................................... 194.2.2 Subject teachers ....................................................................... 20

4.2.3 Special needs teachers ............................................................ 21

4.2.4 Kindergarten teachers and teachers providing

pre-primary education ............................................................ 22

4.2.5 Other teaching positions ......................................................... 24

4.2.6 Comparability o a oreign study module with studies

required o teachers ................................................................ 24

5. Eligibility to provide oreign-language education............................. 25

5.1 Decision-making principles .............................................................. 255.2 Additional requirements and completion o these .......................... 26

5.3 Examples o decisions ....................................................................... 26

5.3.1 Class teaching .......................................................................... 26

5.3.2 Subject teaching ...................................................................... 27

6. Education based on Steiner pedagogy and pre-primary education

based on Montessori pedagogy............................................................ 29

7. Applying or a decision and processing the application .................. 31


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1. Introduction

The Finnish National Board o Education (FNBE) decides on the eligibility pro-

vided by oreign qualifcations or public posts in Finland. People who have

completed their studies abroad will need to obtain a Finnish National Board o

Education decision when applying or a public sector post or position which

requires specifc qualifcations laid down in law. Examples o such qualifca-

tions requirements include a higher education degree o a certain level or a

specifc educational qualifcation or module completed in Finland.

The teaching proession is regulated in Finland, which means that legisla-

tion specifes certain educational qualifcations requirements or teaching po-

sitions. I holders o degrees completed abroad wish to become eligible or a

teaching post or position in Finland, they will generally need to apply to the

Finnish National Board o Education or a decision on eligibility.

The qualifcations required or most teaching positions have been determined

in the Teaching Qualifcations Decree (986/1998). However, the proessional

qualifcations o kindergarten teachers and special kindergarten teachers havebeen determined in the Act on Qualifcation Requirements or Social Welare

Proessionals (272/2005) and the Government Decree on Qualifcation Re-

quirements or Social Welare Proessionals (608/2005).

Decisions taken by the Finnish National Board o Education are based on the

Act on the Recognition o Proessional Qualifcations (1093/2007; hereina-

ter reerred to as the Proessional Qualifcations Act), the Act on Eligibility

Provided by Foreign Higher Education Studies or Public Posts in Finland

(531/1986; hereinater reerred to as the Foreign Studies Act) or the TeachingQualifcations Decree (986/1998). The applicable law is determined accord-

ing to the country o origin o the degree, the applicants nationality and the

eligibility being applied or.

In order or a person who has completed teacher training abroad to be award-

ed a decision on recognition o his or her degree towards studies providing

teaching qualifcations in Finland, the applicant is required to be ully qualifed

in his or her country o origin to work in a teaching position which requires

specifc qualifcations laid down in an Act or a Decree in Finland. In addition,


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processing the application also involves determining the scope, contents and

requirements o the studies included in the applicants teacher training and

comparing these with the studies required in Finland or a corresponding po-

sition. The decision may require the applicant to complete certain studies, an

adaptation period or an aptitude test as a compensation measure.

Decisions are ormulated in keeping with legislation governing proessional

qualifcations. A decision issued by the Finnish National Board o Education

provides eligibility in terms o educational requirements. However, there may

also be other requirements or a position, such as language skills or work ex-

perience. These need to be demonstrated to the employer in other ways.

This guide is primarily intended or experts working with teachers holding

oreign qualifcations. The guide provides inormation about legislation on the

basis o which decisions are made, criteria or awarding a avourable decisionand examples o various decisions. Finally, the guide ends with a description

o the decision application procedure and an overview o how applications

are processed at the Finnish National Board o Education.


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2. Recognition o proessional teachingqualifcations obtained by EU/EEA citizensin an EU/EEA state

I the applicant is a citizen o an EU/EEA state or Switzerland and has qualifed

as a teacher in another EU/EEA state or in Switzerland, the decision is made

by virtue o the Proessional Qualifcations Act. The Act is based on Directive

2005/36/EC o the European Parliament and o the Council on the recognition

o proessional qualifcations. By virtue o the Proessional Qualifcations Act,

the Finnish National Board o Education may issue a decision on eligibility as

a teacher to a person who is ully qualifed or a corresponding teaching posi-

tion in another Member Country.

In certain cases, the decision may also be issued in accordance with the Pro-

essional Qualifcations Act where an EU/EEA citizen has obtained proes-

sional teaching qualifcations outside the EU/EEA, provided that the qualifca-

tions have been recognised in another Member State and that the applicant

has obtained at least three years o proessional experience in the country that

recognised the qualifcations.

In addition to recognition o proessional qualifcations, any applicant who

has completed a higher education degree will also be awarded a decision oncomparability o the level o the degree in accordance with the Foreign Stud-

ies Act. Such a decision also allows the applicant to prove his or her general

eligibility or other public posts besides teaching positions.

2.1 Decision-making principlesThe Proessional Qualifcations Directive includes a classifcation o qualifca-

tions, where dierent types o certifcates attesting to ormal qualifcations are

grouped under levels ae. The qualifcation levels have been described in sec-tion 6 o the Proessional Qualifcations Act.

A avourable decision requires that the applicants teacher training is placed

no more than one qualifcation level below that o the Finnish programme

providing corresponding teaching qualifcations. In practical terms, this means

that a teacher who has completed post-secondary class teacher training last-

ing 12 years (level c), or example, cannot be granted eligibility as a class

teacher, which in Finland requires completion o a university Masters degree

(level e). Conversely, an applicant who has completed class teacher training


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corresponding to the level o a Finnish university Bachelors degree (level d)

may be granted eligibility as a class teacher, because the Finnish programme

is only one level above (level e).

The duration and content o the applicants training and the content o pro-

essional activities will be taken into account when reaching the decision. Ithe applicants training or the content o proessional activities in the country

o origin dier substantially rom the training qualiying or a corresponding

teaching position or rom the content o proessional activities in Finland, a

conditional decision may be issued to the applicant, imposing completion o

a compensation measure. The applicants proessional experience and sup-

plementary studies will be taken into account when assessing the necessity

o a compensation measure. I the applicants proessional experience or sup-

plementary studies can be deemed to make up or any substantial dierences,

the applicant will be granted unconditional eligibility.

2.2 Compensation measure and fnal decisionProvisions on compensation measures are laid down in the Government De-

cree on an Adaptation Period and an Aptitude Test Required or the Recogni-

tion o Proessional Qualifcations (1207/2007). As a compensation measure,

applicants may be required to complete an adaptation period or an aptitude

test. Applicants who have received a conditional decision are ree to choose

whether to complete an adaptation period or an aptitude test. The aptitude testmay be taken at a Finnish higher education institution oering studies required

or the relevant teaching position. The compensation measure may be com-

pleted ater the date o issue o the decision. Applicants cannot be required to

complete supplementary studies.

Completion o an adaptation period means that the applicant will work in

Finland as a teacher appointed or a fxed term in the teaching position men-

tioned within the decision. The applicant is expected to fnd a job independ-

ently.

In an aptitude test, the applicant is expected to demonstrate command o

knowledge and skills required in the relevant teaching proession in Finland.

The decision issued by the Finnish National Board o Education determines

the subject areas covered by the aptitude test and where the test may be taken.

The aptitude test consists o 23 subject areas, depending on the type o teach-

ing concerned, and the applicant may either be required to complete all or

some o them. In addition, the test involves compiling a portolio and a eed-

back session. As a general rule, the aptitude test may be completed in Finnish


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or Swedish. Aptitude tests have been designed in co-operation between Finn-

ish higher education institutions and the Finnish National Board o Education.

When an applicant who has received a conditional decision has completed

either an adaptation period or an aptitude test, he or she should submit a no-

tice o completion o a compensation measure to the Finnish National Boardo Education, accompanied by the certifcate awarded or completion. The

Finnish National Board o Education will then issue a fnal decision, which the

applicant can use to prove his or her eligibility.

2.3 Examples o decisionsThe ollowing sections provide examples o applications or and decisions on

recognition o proessional qualifcations. Examples o applications indicate

details o the applicants training and any possible proessional experience. In

addition to the examples provided below, a decision may also concern some

other type o teaching qualifcations required by law.

2.3.1 Class teachers

Example 1:

Country of origin of the degree France

Applicants professional qualifica-tions in the country of origin

Class teacher teaching all subjects for the 612 age group.

Applying for: Eligibility for class teaching

Applicants degree Matrise histoire, 1997: an academic degree in history requiringfour years of full-time study. The degree falls within level e of thequalification classification set out in the Directive. The degree iscomparable with a Finnish university Masters degree in terms oflevel.

Applicants teacher training Diplme professionnel de professeur des coles, a one-year period

of class teaching practice and related studies after passing anational competition, as well as working as a student teacher for aperiod of one year.

Applicants work experience afterthe qualifications were obtained

Eight years of work experience as a class teacher in Finland

Difference from Finnish classteacher training

As the academic degree is from a field other than education, thescopes of the degree studies in education and those correspondingto class teachers multidisciplinary studies are limited.


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Finnish National Board o Education Decision on recognition o proessional qualifcations:

The Finnish National Board o Education has decided that N.N.s certif-cates coner eligibility to work as a class teacher in basic education.

The proessional experience obtained by N.N. in Finland makes up or

the substantial dierence between his/her training and the correspondingnational training.

Example 2:

Country of origin of the degree United Kingdom


Eligible for positions corresponding to class teaching positions uponcompletion of a compulsory induction period.

Applying for: Eligibility for class teaching

Applicants degree Bachelor of Arts, 2006: an academic degree in education and Englishrequiring three years of full-time study. The degree falls within level dof the qualification classification set out in the Directive. The degreeis comparable with a Finnish university Bachelors degree in terms oflevel.

Applicants teacher training Professional Graduate Certifica te in Education (PGCE), 2008: aone-year programme preparing students to teach at primary schools.As the 1218-month compulsory induction period at a school as partof teacher training has not been completed, the applicant has been

awarded provisional Qualified Teacher Status.


None.

Difference from Finnish classteacher training

The duration of the training is shorter than Finnish class teacher trai-ning. The training is below the level of Finnish class teacher training.The scopes of the degree studies corresponding to class teachersmultidisciplinary studies are limited when compared with Finnish classteacher training.


The Finnish National Board o Education has decided that N.N.s certif-cates will coner eligibility to work as a class teacher in basic educationupon completion o either an aptitude test or an adaptation period.

The three subject areas covered by the aptitude test are Exploring teacheridentity, The Finnish school and a demonstration o class teaching skills.The aptitude test may be taken at a higher education institution oeringeducation leading to a degree providing teaching qualifcations as a class

teacher.


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The adaptation period will be completed through work as a class teacherin Finland. The duration o the required adaptation period is 18 months.During the adaptation period, the applicant will work as a class teacher ora minimum o 10 teaching hours per week. I the applicant has 59 teach-ing hours per week, the duration o the adaptation period will be doubled.

The adaptation period may be completed over several working periodswith a minimum duration o 30 days per period. Single days, periods last-ing less than 30 days or periods consisting o less than 5 teaching hoursper week will not be counted towards the adaptation period.

The adaptation period may be completed ater . Com-pletion o the adaptation period will be attested by a certifcate awardedby the employer.

The Finnish National Board o Education will make a fnal decision on

recognition ater N.N. has submitted a notice o completion o an adapta-tion period or an aptitude test to the Finnish National Board o Education.

2.3.2 Subject teachersExample:

Country of origin of the degree Romania


Eligible to work as a subject teacher in the Romanian and Frenchlanguages at levels equivalent to basic education and general upper

secondary education.Applying for: Eligibility as a French subject teacher in basic education and general

upper secondary education.

Applicants degree Licen, 1990: an academic degree requiring five years of full-timestudy, completed with Romanian as the major subject and French asthe minor subject. The degree falls within level e of the qualificationclassification set out in the Directive. The degree is comparable witha Finnish university Masters degree in terms of level.

Applicants teacher training Teachers pedagogical studies and teaching practice included as partof the Licen degree.


None.

Difference from Finnish subjectteacher training

Studies in French as a teaching subject are more limited than theteaching subject studies required of upper secondary school subjectteachers in Finland.


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The Finnish National Board o Education has decided that N.N.s degreecertifcate coners eligibility to work as a subject teacher, where qualifca-tions requirements are a university Masters degree, studies in French as ateaching subject as part o subject teacher training (minimum o 60 cred-

its) and pedagogical studies or teachers (minimum o 60 credits).

The degree certifcate will coner eligibility to work as a subject teacher,where qualifcations requirements are a university Masters degree, studiesin French as a teaching subject as part o subject teacher training (mini-mum o 120 credits) and pedagogical studies or teachers (minimum o60 credits), upon completion o either an aptitude test or an adaptationperiod.

The two subject areas covered by the aptitude test are The Finnish school

and a demonstration o French subject teaching skills at a general uppersecondary school. The aptitude test may be taken at a higher education in-stitution oering education leading to a degree providing teaching quali-fcations as a subject teacher.

The adaptation period will be completed through work as a French sub-ject teacher at a general upper secondary school in Finland. The durationo the required adaptation period is 9 months. During the adaptation pe-riod, the applicant will teach French at an upper secondary school or a

minimum o 10 teaching hours per week. I the applicant has 59 teachinghours per week, the duration o the adaptation period will be doubled.The adaptation period may be completed over several working periodswith a minimum duration o 30 days per period. Single days, periods last-ing less than 30 days or periods consisting o less than 5 teaching hoursper week will not be counted towards the adaptation period.


The Finnish National Board o Education will make a fnal decision onrecognition ater N.N. has submitted a notice o completion o an adapta-tion period or an aptitude test to the Finnish National Board o Education.


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2.3.3 Special needs teachersExample:

Country of origin of the degree Eston ia

Applicants professional qualifica-

tions in the country of origin

Eligible to provide both special needs education and class teaching.

Applying for: Eligibility to provide part-time special needs education and specialclass teaching.

Applicants degree Degree in special education and speech therapy, 1992: a five-yearacademic degree in education. The degree falls within level e of thequalification classification set out in the Directive. The degree is com-parable with a Finnish university Masters degree in terms of level.

Applicants teacher training Studies in the teaching subject, studies in special education and

teaching practice included as part of the degree, as well as pedagogi-cal studies for teachers.


None.

Difference from Finnish specialneeds teacher and special classteacher training

Studies for special needs teachers specialise in teaching pupils withspeech difficulties and are more limited in scope than Finnish studiesfor special needs teachers.


The Finnish National Board o Education has decided that N.N.s qualifca-tion certifcate will coner eligibility to provide special needs educationreerred to in section 17 o the Basic Education Act (628/1998) upon com-pletion o either an aptitude test or an adaptation period.

The three subject areas covered by the aptitude test are Exploring specialneeds teacher identity, The Finnish school and a demonstration o teach-ing skills in special needs education. The aptitude test may be taken at ahigher education institution oering education leading to a degree provid-

ing teaching qualifcations as a special needs teacher.

The adaptation period will be completed through work as a special needsteacher in Finland. The duration o the required adaptation period is 18months. During the adaptation period, the applicant will work as a specialneeds teacher or a minimum o 10 teaching hours per week. I the ap-plicant has 59 teaching hours per week, the duration o the adaptationperiod will be doubled. The adaptation period may be completed overseveral working periods with a minimum duration o 30 days per period.Single days, periods lasting less than 30 days or periods consisting o less


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than 5 teaching hours per week will not be counted towards the adapta-tion period.



2.3.4 Special kindergarten teachersExample:

Country of origin of the degree Switzer land


Eligible for positions corresponding to kindergarten teacher andspecial kindergarten teacher positions.

Applying for: Eligibility for special kindergarten teacher positions.

Applicants degree Diplme de travail social, filire ducation spcialise, 1998: athree-year professional higher education degree for kindergartenteachers and special kindergarten teachers. The degree falls withinlevel d of the qualification classification set out in the Directive. Thedegree is comparable with a Finnish polytechnic Bachelors degree.

Applicants teacher training Included in the higher education degree.Applicants work experience afterthe qualifications were obtained

Four years of work experience as a special kindergarten teacher inSwitzerland.

Difference from Finnish specialkindergarten teacher training

Limited studies in special pedagogy


The Finnish National Board o Education has decided that N.N.s degree

certifcate will coner eligibility to work as a special kindergarten teacherupon completion o either an aptitude test or an adaptation period.

The two subject areas covered by the aptitude test are Exploring specialneeds teacher identity and Early childhood education and care in Fin-land.

The aptitude test may be taken at a higher education institution oeringeducation leading to a degree providing teaching qualifcations as a spe-cial kindergarten teacher.


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The adaptation period will be completed through work as a special kin-dergarten teacher in Finland. The duration o the adaptation period is 12months. During the adaptation period, the applicant will work as a specialkindergarten teacher or a minimum average o 22 hours per week. I theapplicants average working hours in this position are 1122 hours per

week, the duration o the adaptation period will be doubled. The adapta-tion period may also be completed in several working periods. The mini-mum duration o any working period included in the adaptation periodis one month. Single days, periods lasting less than 30 days or periodsconsisting o less than 11 working hours per week will not be countedtowards the adaptation period.



2.3.5 Kindergarten teachers and teachers providing pre-primaryeducation

Example:

Country of or ig in of the degree Eston iaApplicants professional qualifica-tions in the country of origin

Eligible for positions corresponding to kindergarten teacher and pre-primary teacher positions.

Applying for: Eligibility as a kindergarten teacher and a pre-primary teacher

Applicants degree Baccalaureus artium, 2005: a four-year academic degree in educati-on. The degree falls within level e of the qualification classificationset out in the Directive. The degree is comparable with a Finnishuniversity Masters degree in terms of level.

Applicants teacher training A university continuing training programme qualifying for positionsin early childhood education and care, 2008. The scope of theprogramme was 160 hours and it qualified the applicant for positionsas a kindergarten teacher and a pre-primary teacher.


None.

Difference from Finnish training The applicants studies preparing for positions in pre-primaryeducation and early childhood education and care are limited whencompared with Finnish training.


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The Finnish National Board o Education has decided that N.N.s certif-cates will coner eligibility to work as a kindergarten teacher upon com-pletion o either an aptitude test or an adaptation period.

The certifcates will also coner eligibility to provide pre-primary educa-tion or teaching groups not including basic education pupils in accord-ance with section 7(2) o the Teaching Qualifcations Decree (986/1998),as amended by Decree 865/2005 o 3rd November 2005, upon completiono either an aptitude test or an adaptation period.

The two subject areas covered by the aptitude test are Early childhoodeducation and care in Finland and Educational situation.

The aptitude test may be taken at a higher education institution oering

education leading to a degree providing teaching qualifcations as a kin-dergarten teacher and a pre-primary teacher.

The adaptation period will be completed through work as a kindergartenand pre-primary teacher in Finland. The duration o the adaptation pe-riod is 12 months. During the adaptation period, the applicant will workas a kindergarten and pre-primary teacher or a minimum average o 22hours per week. I the applicants average working hours in this positionare 1122 hours per week, the duration o the adaptation period will bedoubled. The adaptation period may also be completed in several working

periods. The minimum duration o any working period included in theadaptation period is one month. Single days, periods lasting less than 30days or periods consisting o less than 11 working hours per week will notbe counted towards the adaptation period.


The Finnish National Board o Education will make a fnal decision on

recognition ater N.N. has submitted a notice o completion o an adapta-tion period or an aptitude test to the Finnish National Board o Education.


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2.3.6 Kindergarten teachersExample:

Country of or ig in of the degree Germany

Applicants professional qualifica-

tions in the country of origin

Eligible for kindergarten teacher positions.

Applying for: Eligibility for positions corresponding to kindergarten teacher positions

Applicants degree and teachertraining

A two-year qualification in kindergarten pedagogy completed in theGerman Democratic Republic in 1990. The qualification falls withinlevel c of the qualification classification set out in the Directive. Asthe qualification is not a higher education degree, it is not compa-rable with the relevant Finnish degree in terms of level. Additionally,one-year continuing training programme completed in the Federal

Republic of Germany in 1998, conferring a qualification certificate asa kindergarten teacher (Erzieherin).


None.

Difference from Finnish training The training programme falls below the level of Finnish kindergartenteacher training. Limited studies in education.


The Finnish National Board o Education has decided that N.N.s qualifca-tion certifcate will coner eligibility to work as a kindergarten teacher inaccordance with the Act on Qualifcation Requirements or Social WelareProessionals (272/2005) upon completion o either an aptitude test or anadaptation period.

The three subject areas covered by the aptitude test are Exploring teacheridentity, Early childhood education and care in Finland and Educationalsituation.

The aptitude test may be taken at a higher education institution oering

education leading to a degree providing teaching qualifcations as a kin-dergarten teacher.

The adaptation period will be completed through work as a kindergartenteacher in Finland. The duration o the adaptation period is 24 months.During the adaptation period, the applicant will work as a kindergartenteacher or a minimum average o 22 hours per week. I the applicantsaverage working hours in this position are 1122 hours per week, theduration o the adaptation period will be doubled. The adaptation period

may also be completed in several working periods. The minimum duration


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o any working period included in the adaptation period is one month.Single days, periods lasting less than 30 days or periods consisting o lessthan 11 working hours per week will not be counted towards the adapta-tion period.



3. Teaching qualifcations rom anotherNordic country

I a person has completed a ormal class teaching degree with a duration

o at least three years in Sweden, Denmark, Norway or Iceland, he or she is

qualifed to work as a class teacher without any specifc decision (see Decree

986/1998, section 4).

I a person has completed a class teaching degree with a duration o less than

three years in Sweden, Denmark, Norway or Iceland, he or she is qualifed

to teach grades 1 4 o basic education and, upon completion o additional

studies determined in the Finnish National Board o Education Decision No.

181/014/1998, all grades in basic education.

Even those who have completed a class teaching degree in another Nordic

country and are thereore qualifed without a specifc decision may apply or

recognition o their eligibility in accordance with the Proessional Qualifca-

tions Act, i they wish.


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4. Comparability o teacher training obtainedoutside the EU/EEA

Where an applicant has completed his or her teaching degree outside the EU/

EEA or where he or she is not an EU/EEA citizen, the decision-making process

will apply the Foreign Studies Act and the Government Decree on Studies Sup-

plementing Higher Education Courses Completed Abroad (1206/2007). This is

reerred to as the comparability o qualifcations or studies.

4.1 Decision-making principles and supplementarystudies required in decisionsI an application concerns eligibility to work as a teacher in Finland, oreign

teacher training will be compared with the studies required or the corre-

sponding position in Finland. In order to be deemed comparable, the studies

must correspond to those included in the relevant Finnish teacher training in

terms o scope, contents and requirements.

I the studies do not correspond to those required in Finland or an equivalent

teaching position in terms o content, the decision may be issued condition-ally. This means that the decision requires the applicant to complete supple-

mentary studies in Finland. Supplementary studies may include those relating

to subject knowledge or studies in education. The maximum scopes o sup-

plementary studies have been laid down by Decree 1206/2007. A avourable

decision cannot be granted i the total scope is exceeded. Where necessary,

the Finnish National Board o Education will request an opinion rom a Finn-

ish university aculty to assess comparability o the contents o the studies.

When the Finnish National Board o Education issues a decision imposing sup-plementary studies on an applicant, the applicant must independently obtain

a right to study at a university oering such studies. Once the applicant has

completed the studies, he or she will be granted a certifcate or the studies by

the university. Thereater, the applicant may use the conditional decision and

the university certifcate to demonstrate his or her eligibility. There is no need

to apply or another decision.


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4.2 Examples o decisions4.2.1 Class teachersClass teacher training leads to a university Masters degree in Finland. In order

or a oreign degree to be deemed comparable with the studies required o

class teachers in Finland, it must correspond to a Finnish university Mastersdegree in terms o level and to the studies included in class teacher training in

terms o contents. In addition, the degree must coner ull eligibility or posi-

tions corresponding to class teacher positions in the country o origin.

The comparability o the level o a degree is assessed by the Finnish National

Board o Education. The Board may request an opinion on comparability o

the contents o studies rom a university unit providing class teacher training.

In other words, the university unit is asked to issue an opinion on whether the

degree corresponds to a Finnish Master o Arts (Education) degree conerringclass teacher qualifcations. In addition, the unit is asked to determine the sup-

plementary studies to be required, i any.

Example:

Count ry of origin of the degree Russia

Applicants degree Primary teacher and Karelian teacher, 2000. The degree is a five-year academic degree comparable with a Finnish university Masters

degree in terms of level.Applicants teacher training Teacher training is included in the degree.


Eligible for positions corresponding to class teacher positions.

Finnish National Board o Education Decision on comparability o the degree:

The Finnish National Board o Education has decided that N.N.s highereducation degree is comparable with a Finnish university Masters degree.

The higher education degree completed by N.N. will be deemed com-parable with a Master o Arts (Education) degree conerring class teach-ing qualifcations, which includes multidisciplinary studies in subjects andcross-curricular themes taught at comprehensive school or in basic educa-tion with a minimum scope o 60 credits and teachers pedagogical studieswith a minimum scope o 60 credits, provided that N.N. completes theollowing studies in accordance with the degree requirements o classteacher training as supplementary studies (59 credits in total):


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educational research (5 cr.); either advanced quantitative research methods (5 cr.) or advanced

qualitative research methods (5 cr.); minor subject thesis and thesis studies (incl. seminars) included as

part o advanced studies (30 cr.);

advanced teaching practice (8 cr.); didactics in mother tongue and literature (8 cr.); basic course in either didactics in Evangelical-Lutheran religion (3 cr.)

or didactics in ethics (3 cr.).

4.2.2 Subject teachersThe qualifcations requirements or subject teaching positions in Finland in-

clude a university Masters degree, studies in the teaching subject as part o

subject teacher training and teachers pedagogical studies. In order or an ap-plicants oreign studies to be deemed comparable with the studies required o

subject teachers in Finland, the degree must correspond to a Finnish university

Masters degree in terms o level and studies must correspond to the studies

required or subject teaching positions in terms o contents. A urther require-

ment is that the applicants degree has conerred subject teaching qualifca-

tions in the country o origin.


Board o Education. When assessing comparability o oreign studies withFinnish teaching subject studies, the Finnish National Board o Education may

generally request an opinion rom a Finnish university aculty providing train-

ing in the relevant feld. In other words, the aculty is asked to assess whether

the studies included in the degree in question can be deemed comparable

with teaching subject studies with a minimum scope o either 60 or 120 cred-

its, completed as part o subject teacher training in the subject in question. In

addition, the aculty is asked to determine the supplementary studies to be

required, i any.

In terms o comparability o teachers pedagogical studies, the Finnish Na-

tional Board o Education will make the decision without an external opinion.

Decisions are almost invariably conditional in terms o teachers pedagogical

studies. In other words, applicants are required to supplement their studies

by completing pedagogical studies with a scope o 15 credits in Finland, in-

cluding teaching practice and related studies. Thereater, their studies will be

deemed comparable with teachers pedagogical studies with a minimum scope

o 60 credits. Applicants are required to obtain a right to study independently

either rom a university or rom a vocational teacher education college.


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Example:

Country of or ig in of the degree Mexico

Applicants degree Licenciado en Lenguas Extranjeras, with English as the major subject,2002. The degree is a five-year academic degree comparable with a

Finnish university Masters degree in terms of level.Applicants teacher training Teacher training is included in the degree.


Eligible to work as an English subject teacher at levels correspondingto basic education and general upper secondary school.



The studies in English language and literature included in the degree willbe comparable with the teaching subject studies in the English languageincluded as part o subject teacher training (minimum o 60 credits), pro-vided that the applicant completes the Structural Analysis course (3 cred-its) rom subject studies in English Philology as supplementary studies inFinland.

The studies in English language and literature included in the degree willbe deemed comparable with the teaching subject studies in the Englishlanguage included as part o subject teacher training (minimum o 120

credits), provided that the applicant completes the Pronunciation Evalu-ation course (0 credits) and a minor subject thesis (20 credits) rom ad-vanced studies in English Philology as supplementary studies in Finland,in addition to the above-mentioned studies.

I the applicant completes teaching practice with a duration o one termand related studies (15 credits in total) as supplementary studies in Fin-land, the degree studies in education will be deemed comparable withFinnish teachers pedagogical studies (minimum o 60 credits).

4.2.3 Special needs teachersIn Finland, special needs teacher positions require a degree corresponding

to a university Masters degree in terms o level. In order or an applicants

oreign studies to be deemed comparable with the studies required o special

needs teachers in Finland, the degree must correspond to a Finnish university

Masters degree in terms o level and studies must correspond to Finnish spe-

cial needs teacher training in terms o contents. In addition, the degree must

coner ull eligibility or positions corresponding to positions as a special class

teacher or a part-time special needs teacher in the country o origin.


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Board o Education. The Board may request an opinion on comparability

o the contents o studies rom a university aculty providing special needs

teacher training. In other words, the aculty is asked to assess comparability o

degree studies in special pedagogy with special needs teacher studies with a

minimum scope o 60 credits. In addition, the aculty is asked to determine thesupplementary studies to be required, i any.

Example:

Country of origin of the degree Russia

Applicants degree Oligophrenia pedagogue and logopaedist teacher (special needs teacherfor intellectually disabled pupils and speech therapist/teacher) specia-lising in oligophrenia pedagogy with additional specialisation in speechtherapy, 2006. The degree is a five-year academic degree comparablewith a Finnish university Masters degree in terms of level.

Applicants teacher training Special needs teacher training is included in the degree.


Eligible for special needs teacher positions.



The studies in special education included in the degree will be deemedcomparable with the Finnish special needs teacher studies with a scopeo 60 credits upon completion o courses with a total scope o 15 creditsincluded as part o separate special needs teacher studies, including teach-ing practice, as supplementary studies in Finland.

4.2.4 Kindergarten teachers and teachers providing pre-primaryeducation

In Finland, kindergarten teacher positions require a degree corresponding to

a university Bachelors degree in terms o level. In order or oreign studies

to be deemed comparable with the studies required o kindergarten teachers

in Finland, they must correspond to at least a Finnish university Bachelors

degree in terms o level and to Finnish kindergarten teacher training in terms

o contents. In addition, the degree must coner ull eligibility or positions

corresponding to positions as a kindergarten teacher in the country o origin.


Board o Education. The Board may request an opinion on comparability o

the contents o studies rom a university aculty providing kindergarten teacher


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training. In other words, the aculty is asked to assess comparability o the de-

gree studies in question with the Finnish Bachelor o Arts (Education) degree,

which includes studies providing proessional skills needed in early childhood

education and care and pre-primary education with a minimum scope o 60

credits. In addition, the aculty is asked to determine the supplementary studies

to be required, i any.

Example:

Count ry of origin of the degree Chi le

Applicants degree Licenciado en educacin with specialisation in pre-primary education,2007. The degree is a four-year academic degree comparable with aFinnish university Bachelors degree.

Applicants teacher training Special needs teacher training is included in the degree.


Eligible for kindergarten/pre-primary teacher positions.


The Finnish National Board o Education has decided that N.N.s high-er education degree is comparable with a Finnish university Bachelorsdegree.

The higher education degree completed by N.N. will be deemed compa-

rable with a Bachelor o Arts (Education) degree, which includes stud-ies providing proessional skills needed in early childhood education andcare and pre-primary education with a minimum scope o 60 credits, uponcompletion o the ollowing studies in accordance with the degree require-ments o kindergarten teacher training (28 credits in total):

Day-care steering systems in Finland, 3 cr.; Early childhood education and care in the context o Finnish society:

amily policy, 3 cr., teaching practice (orientation to Finnish day care), 6 cr.;

Studies relating to pre-primary and initial education: the Finnish curriculum system, 5 cr.;

Media education in early childhood education and care, 3 cr.; Cultural oundations, ethics and religious education, 3 cr.; Knowledge o Finnish childrens culture:

such as visual arts, childrens literature, music, 5 cr.

Upon completion o the supplementary studies, the applicant will be eli-gible to work as a kindergarten teacher in accordance with section 7 othe Act on Qualifcation Requirements or Social Welare Proessionals

(272/2005) and to provide pre-primary education or teaching groups not


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including basic education pupils in accordance with section 7 o the Teach-ing Qualifcations Decree (986/1998).

4.2.5 Other teaching positionsWhenever the qualifcations requirements or a teaching position include aneducational qualifcation o a certain level, teachers pedagogical studies andteaching subject studies, or any one o the above, eligibility can be demon-strated using a decision issued by the Finnish National Board o Education.The Finnish National Board o Education only decides on education and train-ing. I a specifc qualifcations area has not been deemed comparable in a

decision issued to an applicant, the applicant is required to supplement his orher qualifcations in this respect by completing a specifc educational qualifca-tion or certain studies in Finland.

There are certain teaching positions where educational qualifcations require-ments may include an appropriate Finnish qualifcation or both an appropriateFinnish qualifcation and teachers pedagogical studies. Such teaching posi-tions exist in areas such as basic education in the arts, liberal adult educationand vocational education and training. In these cases, individuals may applyor a Finnish National Board o Education decision to demonstrate their eli-

gibility in terms o the level o their qualifcation and any possible teacherspedagogical studies that may be required. The suitability o each qualifcationor any specifc position will be decided by the employer.

I the qualifcations requirements include a certain amount o work experienceor specifc language profciency, or example, eligibility must be demonstrated

separately in these respects.

4.2.6 Comparability o a oreign study module with studiesrequired o teachers

Even i an applicant were not qualifed as a teacher in the country o origin othe degree, he or she may also apply or a decision on comparability o teach-

ing subject studies in addition to a decision on comparability o the level othe degree, provided that the level o the degree corresponds to a Finnish uni-versity Masters degree and includes extensive studies in a subject in which itis possible to graduate as a subject teacher in Finland. Such a decision may benecessary i the applicant is planning a career as a subject teacher and intendsto supplement his or her qualifcations by completing teachers pedagogicalstudies in Finland.


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5. Eligibility to provide oreign-languageeducation

In addition to decisions issued by virtue o the Foreign Studies and Proes-

sional Qualifcations Acts, the Finnish National Board o Education also grants

decisions on eligibility to provide education where the language o instruction

is other than Finnish, Swedish or Saami. Such a decision may concern eligibil-

ity to provide pre-primary education, class instruction or special needs educa-

tion, or subject instruction within basic education or general upper secondary

education in a oreign language. These decisions are based on section 21 o

the Teaching Qualifcations Decree (986/1998).

People who have completed teacher training abroad will not generally need

a specifc decision on sufcient studies to qualiy or oreign-language educa-

tion, i they receive a decision on recognition o teaching qualifcations that

they have completed in another EU/EEA country or a decision on comparabil-

ity o training completed outside the EU/EEA with studies required o teach-

ers in Finland. These decisions have mainly been issued to people who have

received teacher training outside the EU/EEA and whose qualifcation is not

comparable with a Finnish university Masters degree.

5.1 Decision-making principlesA avourable decision on eligibility requires at least that:

the applicant is ully qualifed to work in a corresponding teaching

position in his or her country o origin;

the teacher training completed by the applicant corresponds to at least

a Finnish university Bachelors degree in terms o level;

the applicant has completed pedagogical studies and studies in the

teaching subject with adequate scopes;

the applicant has completed teacher training in the oreign language in

which he or she is going to teach in Finland and which is an ofcial

language in his or her country o origin.

There are more specifc requirements depending on the type o teaching con-

cerned.

In addition to a decision on sufcient studies, the applicant will also be award-

ed a decision on comparability o the level o the qualifcation in accordance

with the Foreign Studies Act.


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5.2 Additional requirements and completion o theseAs a general rule, decisions require applicants to take an aptitude test. In an

aptitude test, they are expected to demonstrate their command o knowledge

and skills required in the relevant teaching position in Finland. The decision is-

sued by the Finnish National Board o Education determines the subject areascovered by the aptitude test and where the test may be taken. An aptitude test

may be completed in Finnish, Swedish or English. I an applicant has acquired

work experience as a teacher in Finland, this will be taken into account when

determining the contents o the aptitude test.

Upon completion o the aptitude test, an applicant who has been awarded a

conditional decision will receive a certifcate or completion o the aptitude

test rom the university that organised the test. Thereater, the applicant may

use the conditional decision and the aptitude test certifcate to demonstrate hisor her eligibility. There is no need to apply or another decision.

5.3 Examples o decisions5.3.1 Class teachingExample:

Country of origin of the degree Canada

Applicants degree Bachelor of Arts with history as the major subject, 2004.Bachelor of Education with education as the major subject, 2004. Thedegrees are academic degrees requiring a total of four years of study.The degrees are comparable with a Finnish university Bachelorsdegree in terms of level.

Applicants teacher training Class teacher training is included in the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Language of degree and teachertraining

English


Teaching Licence conferring eligibility to teach grades 410 (pupilsaged 915).

Professional experience inFinland

Two years as a class teacher in education provided in accordance withthe Finnish National Core Curriculum.

Difference from Finnish training The training programme falls below the level of Finnish class teachertraining and has not provided research capabilities. The training pro-gramme does not include studies in several of the subjects included inclass teachers multidisciplinary studies in Finland.


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Finnish National Board o Education Decision on sufcient studies or oreign-languageeducation:

By virtue o section 21 o the Teaching Qualifcations Decree (986/1998),as amended by Decree 592/2000 o 21st June 2000, the Finnish NationalBoard o Education has decided that N.N. will have completed sufcient

studies to work as a class teacher in English-language basic educationupon completion o an aptitude test in two subject areas, which are Ex-ploring teacher identity and a demonstration o class teaching skills.

In the aptitude test, the applicant will have to demonstrate specifcallythat he/she has become amiliar with teaching natural science subjects(biology, physics and chemistry) and music, crats and physical education.

The aptitude test may be completed in Finnish at the Faculty o Behav-ioural Sciences o the University o Helsinki or at the Faculty o Education

o the University o Jyvskyl, or in English at the Faculty o Education othe University o Oulu.

The decision is based on the applicants studies and on the act that he/she is ully qualifed or corresponding teaching positions in the Provinceo Ontario, Canada. The work experience acquired by the applicant in aclass teachers position in Finland has also been taken into account whenreaching the decision.

5.3.2 Subject teachingExample:

Country of origin of the degree United States

Applicants degree Bachelor of Arts with Spanish as the major subject, 2008. The degreeis an academic degree requiring four years of study. The degree iscomparable with a Finnish university Bachelors degree in terms oflevel.

Applicants teacher training Teacher training is included in the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Language of degree and teachertraining

English


Teaching Licence conferring eligibility to provide subject teachingin Spanish at levels equivalent to the whole of basic education andgeneral upper secondary education.

Professional experience inFinland

None.

Difference from Finnish training The training programme falls below the level of Finnish subject

teacher training and has not provided research capabilities.


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Finnish National Board o Education Decision on sufcient studies or oreign-languageeducation:


studies to work as a Spanish subject teacher in English-language basiceducation upon completion o an aptitude test in two subject areas, whichare Exploring teacher identity and The Finnish school. The aptitude testmay be completed in Finnish at the Faculty o Behavioural Sciences o theUniversity o Helsinki or at the Faculty o Education o the University oJyvskyl, or in English at the Faculty o Education o the bo AkademiUniversity.

The decision is based on the applicants studies and on the act that he/

she is ully qualifed or corresponding teaching positions in the State oIllinois, United States.


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6. Education based on Steiner pedagogy andpre-primary education based on Montessoripedagogy

In addition to decisions issued by virtue o the Foreign Studies and Proes-

sional Qualifcations Acts, the Finnish National Board o Education also grants

decisions on eligibility to provide education based on Steiner pedagogy and

pre-primary education based on Montessori pedagogy. These decisions are

based on section 21 o the Teaching Qualifcations Decree (986/1998).

Eligibility to provide education based on Steiner pedagogy covers anyone who

is generally qualifed to teach at the equivalent level o education. In addition,those who have completed studies deemed sufcient by the Finnish National

Board o Education in Finland or abroad are also qualifed to provide this type

o education.

Those who have completed their studies in Steiner pedagogy abroad will need

to apply to the Finnish National Board o Education or an individual decision

in order to demonstrate their eligibility.

Eligibility to provide pre-primary education based on Montessori pedagogy

covers anyone who is generally qualifed to teach at the equivalent level oeducation. In addition, those who have been granted a decision on eligibility

by the Finnish National Board o Education on the basis o studies completed

in Finland or abroad are also qualifed to provide this type o education.

Those wishing to become eligible to provide pre-primary education based on

Montessori pedagogy may apply to the Finnish National Board o Education

or an individual decision.

Example o a decision on pre-primary Montessori education:Country of origin of the degree Fin land

Applicants degree Master of Social Sciences with social psychology as the major subject and with education as one of the minor subjects (15 cr.), 20xx

Applicants teacher training Montessori instructor training with a scope of 40 credits completedat Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education at the University ofHelsinki.


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Finnish National Board o Education Decision on sufcient studies or pre-primary educa-tion based on Montessori pedagogy:


studies to provide pre-primary education based on Montessori pedagogyor teaching groups not including basic education pupils upon completiono studies in pre-primary and initial education with a scope o 25 credits inaccordance with university degree requirements as supplementary studies.

The decision is based on the act that N.N. has completed a universityMasters degree and Montessori instructor training.


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7. Applying or a decision and processing theapplication

To apply or a decision, applicants should submit a completed and signed ap-plication orm, accompanied by the necessary appendices, to the Finnish Na-

tional Board o Education. Detailed instructions on appendices to be enclosed

with the application can be ound in the application instructions. The applica-

tion orm and instructions are available on the FNBE website at www.oph.f/

recognition. The orm and the instructions are available in Finnish, Swedish

and English. In addition, the application instructions are available in Russian.

The Finnish National Board o Education will send each applicant confrma-

tion o receipt o the application within one month. The applicant may beasked to provide additional inormation i necessary. The application will not

be processed until the applicant has provided the Board with a completed and

signed application orm and all the required appendices.

The Finnish National Board o Education will contact the applicant i the eligi-

bility applied or cannot be granted.

The average period or processing an application is 3 to 4 months. The process-

ing period varies according to whether the Finnish National Board o Educa-tion requests any external expert opinions on the qualifcation.

Appeals against decisions may be made to an Administrative Court. The

appeal instructions will be appended to the decision.

Further inormation about recognition o qualifcations can be ound at:

www.oph.f/recognition


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ISBN 978-952-13-4478-7 (pb)ISBN 978-952-13-4479-4 (pd)

The unit or Recognition and International Comparabil-ity o Qualifcations decides on the eligibility granted byoreign qualifcations in Finland, issues statements on or-

eign vocational qualifcations and seeks to promote therecognition o prior learning.

The unit unctions as the national co-ordination and in-ormation centre or the ollowing networks: Europass,Academic Recognition (ENIC/NARIC), Directive on theRecognition o Proessional Qualifcations and the Euro-pean Qualifcations Framework.

Documents

124837 Recognition of Foreign Teaching Qualifications in Finland