Safe Learning Environment

OSAO’s rules are based on the Act on Vocational Education and Training (531/2017, section 80) and the Government Decree on Vocational Education and Training (Valtioneuvoston asetus ammatillisesta koulutuksesta 673/2017). The purpose of these rules is to ensure that everyone studying and working at OSAO is able to work in peace, comfort and safety, thus contributing to the achievement of key competence requirements and pedagogical objectives.

The rules contain provisions on the rights and obligations of OSAO students and apply to all OSAO’s units and learning environments, as well as during transfers between them. These rules, the rules of each dormitory and dormitory-specific housing instructions issued based on them apply to OSAO’s dormitories.

“Educational institution” means the premises of all OSAO units and all learning environments directly related to studies. The land area managed by the educational institution/unit and all buildings therein, including dormitories, and all areas where students study in accordance with the organisation of their qualification or education and training and their personal competence development plans (PCDP) are considered part of OSAO’s premises.

In addition, learning environments and situations linked to the organisation of a qualification or education and training and studies also include events arranged by OSAO during and outside study hours, events arranged by students on OSAO’s premises and events and/or trips during which students represent the educational institution. Other instructions and rules issued by OSAO also apply.

Students must attend instruction and competence demonstrations and other events for demonstration of competence as specified in their PCDP, unless exempted for a justifiable reason. (Act on Vocational Education and Training 531/2017, section 94)

A student may be granted permission to be absent for a justifiable reason. A permission to be absent must be requested in writing and a decision on it will be made either by the student’s teacher (in the case of an absence of at most three working days) or by the head of student and academic affairs/unit head (in the case of an absence of more than three working days). The students must inform their teacher of any absence without delay. (GUIDELINE on the monitoring of attendance and records on attendance, absence and lessons)

Students must be prepared for teaching in accordance with the instructions given and have with them the appropriate equipment and supplies.

During on-the-job learning, students must follow the working hours and rules agreed at the workplace and report any absences without delay to the workplace and the supervising teacher.

Students must complete their tasks diligently and observe appropriate conduct (Act on Vocational Education and Training 531/2017, section 94). Every member of the school community has the right to have peaceful working conditions in compliance with occupational safety and health legislation. Every member of the community must also contribute to a positive learning environment through their behaviour. See also Appropriate treatment in the learning community.

Each student and staff member is responsible for keeping the premises and facilities of their unit clean.

A student’s obligation to compensate for any damage caused is regulated by the Tort Liability Act (412/1974). A student who deliberately or negligently causes damage is liable for damages. Any damage must be reported to the staff without delay. Intentional breaking, damaging or losing of property or failure to return property will result in compensation proceedings.

When receiving equipment, supplies or devices for studying from the unit, the students must handle them with care in accordance with the instructions given. Students are obliged to inform the staff of any defects they observe in the teaching equipment or real property. Instructions given by the staff must be followed in customer service situations.

OSAO units are not liable for any property left on the premises of the educational institution.

All OSAO students and staff members must familiarise themselves and comply with the occupational safety and health rules and plans of their unit and industry, taking into account the special characteristics of the industry and the workplace. If a student notices any occupational safety and health issues, they must be reported to the staff without delay. (Occupational Safety and Health Act 738/2002)

Smoking and the use and handling of tobacco products, tobacco substitutes, smoking accessories, electronic cigarettes and tobacco imitations are not permitted on OSAO premises, in OSAO’s learning environments or while representing OSAO. The ban on smoking and tobacco smoke also applies to the burning of herbal products intended to be smoked and to the use of electronic cigarettes and the resulting fumes, vapours and particulates. Persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to have tobacco products in their possession (Tobacco Act 549/2016, sections 53 and 74).

In accordance with section 74 of the Tobacco Act, smoking is prohibited in indoor areas of buildings that are accessible to the general public, employees or customers, in shelters and other spectator areas where participants stay in one place and in outdoor areas of institutions providing vocational education. Using smokeless tobacco products in indoor or outdoor premises of institutions providing vocational education is prohibited.

Introducing, keeping in one’s possession, consuming or appearing under the influence of intoxicants and narcotics in OSAO’s units, in learning environments related to studies and when representing OSAO is prohibited (Act on Vocational Education and Training 531/2017, Act on Services for Intoxicant Abusers [Päihdehuoltolaki 41/1986], Narcotics Act 373/2008, Criminal Code 39/1889, chapter 50).

OSAO has its own substance abuse policy.

Traffic and parking on OSAO’s premises is subject to general traffic rules and any additional instructions issued by the unit.

If a student leaves the learning environment covered by the PCDP without permission, the insurance cover for their studies is no longer valid.

Any member of staff who notices that a student has violated the rules or otherwise behaved inappropriately must advise and guide the student by appropriate pedagogical means or refer the violation for disciplinary measures.

Disciplinary measures may include removal and expulsion from the classroom or the premises of the educational institution, a written warning, a ban from attending instruction, suspension of the right to study, suspension from the educational institution for at most one year or expulsion from the dormitory for a fixed term or for the remainder of the studies. Violation of the rules is provided for in section 85 of the Act on Vocational Education and Training. The procedures are described in OSAO’s plan on the use of disciplinary measures. Other rights and obligations of students are laid down in chapter 10 of the Act on Vocational Education and Training.

A student may be issued a written warning if they behave violently or threateningly, act under false pretences or otherwise cause disorder at the educational institution. If the act or negligence is serious in nature or if the student continues to violate the rules, they may be suspended from the educational institution and/or expelled from the dormitory for a fixed term or for the remainder of the their studies.

Study credits must be obtained honestly, i.e. so that the students gives a true picture of their knowledge. Any fraud and plagiarism during studies is prohibited.

“Plagiarism” means the use of another person’s ideas, knowledge, language skills or writing skills or artificial intelligence when it is done without properly acknowledging the original source.

Using mobile phones without a separate permission during learning situations is prohibited.

The taking of photographs and the recording of videos on OSAO’s premises and during OSAO events, as well as the making and publishing of video and audio recordings without the permission of the parties concerned is prohibited.

Unit heads may issue instructions and orders elaborating these rules.