Support for learning

What is JOPO education and who is it for?

JOPO education, or flexible basic education, is small group instruction intended for general education students in grade 9 who need support. The teaching language is Finnish. A JOPO class placement must be applied for. JOPO classes are combined classes with a group size of 12 students. The general curriculum is followed in JOPO classes, and students receive the same certificates (interim report, annual report, final certificate) as other general education students.

The decision to admit a student to a JOPO class is made by the school principal. The application process evaluates students' motivation and attitude, social skills, and need for support. The assessment is done in cooperation with the student's current school staff.

The number of available starting places varies by school. JOPO classes in Tampere are intended only for students from Tampere.

The goal of JOPO classes is to provide good readiness for continuing studies at the secondary level and to improve school motivation. One focus of the teaching is on functional work methods and studying at workplaces in real work environments. Activities also include school camps, company visits, and cooperation with secondary education institutions.

A JOPO student:

• Underperforms in a larger group in one way or another
• Benefits from functional learning
• Attends school according to the given schedule
• Can apply for an internship (initially with support)
• Can complete their internship
• Can participate in activities outside of school, such as study trips and school camps
• Can work independently in a combined class at times
• Can cooperate with other students
• Can integrate into general education teaching groups

A JOPO student:

• Needs support
• May have individual learning objectives, but does not have a special class placement

JOPO Information for the 2026-2027 School Year

A joint JOPO information session for those interested in JOPO studies and their guardians will be held remotely via Teams February 10, 2026 at 18:00. The link will be published both here and on the schools' websites closer to the date.

Determining the JOPO School

The student's school at the time of application determines which school the student will be admitted to as a JOPO student. Here is a list of the corresponding JOPO schools:

• Ahvenisjärvi School -> JOPO at Kaukajärvi School
• Etelä-Hervanta School -> JOPO at Kaukajärvi School
• Hatanpää School -> JOPO at Kaukajärvi School
• Juhannuskylä School -> JOPO at Kaarila School
• Kaarila School -> JOPO at Kaarila School
• Kaukajärvi School -> JOPO at Kaukajärvi School
• Kämmenniemi School -> JOPO at Takahuhti School
• Lielahti School -> JOPO at Kaarila School
• Linnainmaa School -> JOPO at Takahuhti School
• Sampo School -> JOPO at Takahuhti School
• Svenska samskolan i Tammerfors -> JOPO at Kaarila School
• Takahuhti School -> JOPO at Takahuhti School
• Tampere University Normal School -> JOPO at Kaukajärvi School
• Tampere International School (FISTA) -> JOPO at Kaarila School
• Tampere Christian School -> JOPO at Takahuhti School
• Tampere Steiner School -> JOPO at Takahuhti School
• Tesoma School -> JOPO at Kaarila School
• Vuores School -> JOPO at Kaukajärvi School
• Wivi Lönn School -> JOPO at Kaarila School

JOPO Application for the 2026-2027 School Year

The application period is 10.2.-3.3.2026

To apply for a JOPO class, use the Wilma application form during the application period:

1. Log in to Wilma (https://opetustampere.inschool.fi)
2. Open the Applications and Decisions tab
3. Click the "Make a new application" link
4. Select "Application for JOPO class"

Students from Tampere Christian School, Svenska Samskolan, Tampere University Normal School, and Tampere Steiner School apply for a JOPO place using a Forms form. The form will be available on the home page of the respective JOPO school at the start of the application period.

• Applicants will be informed of the selections on April 21, 2026.
• Guardians must confirm the student’s place in Wilma by April 28, 2026.
• Those accepted from the waiting list must confirm their place by April 30, 2026.

General support is the first step in responding to the pupil’s need for support. An individual learning plan for the pupil can be drawn up as part of the general support provided.

If it is assessed that a pupil needs more broad and long-term support than usual, the support rendered to them will be intensified. To carry out such intensified support, an individual learning plan will be drawn up for the pupil, to include a description of the support needed by the pupil and the manner of its organization.

If a pupil is in need of robust support on a regular basis, special support will be organized. Special support is rendered pursuant to an administrative decision, and to carry out the support, an individual plan for the organization of teaching (HOJKS) will be drawn up.

In Tampere, a decision on an extended period of compulsory education and the associated decision for special support will be made in collaboration between early childhood education and basic education if the child is enrolled in early childhood education at the time of the decision. The first decision to extend the period of compulsory education and provide special support must be grounded in a psychologist’s or physician’s certificate. No separate pedagogic assessment is necessary.

A pupil with extended compulsory education has the opportunity to participate in a voluntary extra year of preschool in an early childhood education and care group in the calendar year they turn five years old (5 y). Nevertheless, they will begin their compulsory education in preschool teaching the calendar year they turn six years old (6 y). Preschool teaching for a six-year-old will be provided either in an early childhood education and care preschool group or in a special class.

The Koivikkopuisto schoolhouse is a City of Tampere -operated hospital school that serves the municipalities in the Tampere University Hospital catchment area. The Koivikkopuisto schoolhouse is located at the Tays campus in Tampere. 

https://www.tays.fi/fi-FI/Toimipaikat/Tays_Keskussairaala/Muut_yksikot/Sairaalakoulu

Coordinating teachers responsible for support work with the school pathways. Their tasks include facilitating pupil support and providing guidance, preparing decisions on special support, consulting schools in support-related matters, as well as networking. The administration for the coordinating teachers responsible for support works on Wednesdays.