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Written by

Team SpEd@school

How Schools in Finland Lead the Way in Inclusive Education

11 Jul 2025

Finland’s education system is often celebrated for its equity, innovation, and child-centered approach. One area where it excels is inclusive education. Instead of separating students with special needs, Finnish schools embrace them as part of the mainstream learning environment.

In Finland, inclusion starts early. Preschool and primary educators are trained in differentiation, early identification of learning challenges, and collaboration with special education teachers. Support is proactive rather than reactive.

Three-tier support—general, intensified, and special—ensures students receive help before falling behind. Regular classroom teachers work closely with special educators, sharing responsibility for planning and assessment.

There’s also a cultural emphasis on trust, low-stakes testing, and well-being. Students are not labeled or tracked early on. Instead, the system fosters equality, engagement, and individualized growth.

Parents are active partners in decision-making, and schools are resourced with counselors, psychologists, and learning support teams. Finland’s inclusive model shows that when you invest in equity, the entire system thrives.