The first students to study Finland’s upper secondary school curriculum entirely in English began classes on Thursday in six cities across the country.

The reform is aimed at attracting foreign skilled workers with families to Finland, as well as encouraging Finnish expats to return to the country with their children.

The first cohort of English-language curriculum students is due to take the matriculation exam in English in 2028.

The English-language track is open to students who have studied in a Finnish school for less than three years.