Absences and leave requests
The child's sick absences are reported and holidays are requested through Wilma.
Instructions
- In Wilma in the browser, click on the menu bar at the top Hour markings or tap Wilma in the app sick icon
- choose Report absencetab:
- Fill in the required fields and click SAVE notice of absence
- Report each day of absence separately
The announcement always only applies to the current day (announcements made before 12 noon) or the following day (announcements made after 12 noon).
Video instructions for marking absence (Link)
You can fill out the leave request form in Wilma. It is good to do it well in advance of the desired time.
The function cannot be done in the mobile app, but only through the browser.
- In the blue top menu, search for “Applications and decisions"
- Click "Make a new application" from the upper right corner
- choose petition form, which you want to do
- Fill up the information necessary for the petition and save
The teacher/principal processes the form and the decision is published for viewing in Wilma.
- 1-5 days absence, leave is granted by the class teacher/supervisor
- absence of more than 5 days, leave is granted by the assistant principal/principal
If you wish, you can print the decision on the granted leave from the icon "Printouts".
Monitoring of absences
We use the Wilma Noti service, which automates the monitoring of student absences from November 2024. Accumulation of absences is reported with automatic Wilma messages. The service sends a monthly summary of absences to students, guardians and teachers. When the absence limits of 30h, 50h are exceeded, an automatic Wilma message is sent to the student, guardian and teacher. When the absence limit of 70 hours is exceeded, the special education teacher and the principal also receive the message.
The organizer of the education must report unauthorized absences to the student's guardian or other legal representative (Basic Education Act 628/1998, § 26). When contacting us, we always think about the extent of the necessary support measures together with the home.
Absence classifications in Wilma
| Rating in Wilma | Description | National classification |
|---|---|---|
| Health reasons | The student is physically absent from school (sick, an event related to physical and/or mental health care / appointment, e.g. dentist, therapy or surgery). Registration can be done by the guardian or teacher based on the guardian's notification. | Absence related to health reasons |
| Requested leave | Time off requested by the guardian in advance, including individual lessons and school days (holiday trip, hobby-related absence, with a remote parent). The teacher records the absence based on the information/request provided by the guardian. | Advance requested leave |
| Other explained absence |
Only used in those cases when the absence does not belong to any other category (e.g. POL36§, self-imposed quarantine, unexpected family situation). Guardian's or teacher's registration. | Other explained absence |
| Unauthorized absence, resolved |
Absence classified as unauthorized by the guardian or teacher (truancy or being late for more than a lesson) | Unauthorized absence (cleared) |
| Unexplained absence | The school has no information why the child is absent. The absence can be investigated by the teacher or guardian and the classification of the entry can be changed. | Unexplained absence |
| Other school work, present | The child is physically at school, but absent from the lesson with permission (in student care services, student council duties, on leave, etc.). | Other school work, present (Not counted as absence) |
| Studying elsewhere | The student is physically out of school, e.g. in hospital school or is doing so an agreed shortened school day or week (POL § 18). |
Studying elsewhere (Not counted as absence) |
| Delay | Being late for less than a lesson is recorded as an hour mark (number of minutes). |
Delay (Not counted as absence) |
Addressing absences
According to the Basic Education Act and the basic education curriculum, all basic schools in Finland have
- prevent and reduce school absences in a planned manner
- develop a positive culture of school communities
- to increase the participation of all members of school communities and the well-being of students
In order to support attachment to school and reduce absenteeism, a uniform model for addressing absenteeism was introduced in Päijät-Hämee in August 2023 in all elementary schools. Absence rates are monitored quarterly. The absence hour limits are 30h, 50h and 70h. In the PDF file below, you can learn more about the targeted measures for different hours. Please note the shortcuts in the presentation headings that you can click. More information on the topic can also be found via several links in the presentation.
Early intervention can prevent many cases. Always discuss any concerns with the class teacher or supervisor.
Päijät-Häme's absenteeism intervention model - PDF , opens in a new tab