Education in Finland

Perkele!

Indian society has always equated good education with "academic achievements". We can’t even stick to ONE philosophy of education long enough to see if it actually works.  We keep on trying new methods, ideas and initiatives .  We keep adding more and more to our plates without removing any of the past ideas.  We believe, “more” is the answer to all  our education problems.  MORE classes,  homework,  assignments,  pressure,  content,  after school tutoring testing and longer days !  This is doing nothing, but creating  MORE frustration.

         Finland  believes less is more. It applies to both, students as well as teachers. Finnish students don't start formal education until the age of 7. Finland allows it's children to play and explore while learning, instead of locking them up in a room. Children start learning when they are actually ready to focus. Nine years of compulsory education is then followed. At the age of 16 the students can then choose from any of the three tracks. 

1)Upper Secondary School: It is a three year program. They also get prepared for Matriculation Test. 

2)Vocational Education:  This is a three year program. It trains the students for various careers. It also gives them the option to take the Matriculation test.  They can apply for University should they so choose.  But, the students in this track are usually content with their skill . So, they either enter the workforce or they go on to a Poly-technical College to get further training. 

3)Enter the workforce.

         Students have the same teacher for up to SIX years. The same teacher nurtures the students for six years. The teachers figure out the individual instructional needs. Also, the learning style of each student.  They track the kids progress. They have a personal interest in seeing the kids succeed and reach their goals. If there is any behavior or discipline problem, the teacher can deal with it before it gets out of hand. This helps a child as it gives them the consistency, care and individualized attention. It also helps the teachers understand the curriculum in a holistic and linear way. The teacher knows what they need to teach to get them to the next step. It also gives the teachers freedom to work according to the students pace. Teachers don’t feel the pressure to speed up or slow down to get the students “ready” for the next year.  Again, they are the teacher for thenext year and they control the curriculum!  They know what the kids have learned and will plan according to the students needs!   

         

Students usually start school between 9:00 AM and 9:45 AM . This is because research has proven that adolescents need quality sleep in the morning. The school day usually ends by 2:00 PM or 2:45 PM. Some days they start earlier and some days they start later. The students don't have a fixed schedule. They have three to four 75 minute classes a day with several breaks between . These 15 to 20 minute gives them time to digest what they are learning, relax and get some fresh air. It prepares them for the next class.  

   There are several neurological advantages for these breaks.  Study after study supports the need for children to be fit to learn. Stagnation of the body leads to stagnation of the brain. Teachers have shorter days as well. An average Finnish teacher teaches 600 hours in a year or about 4 or less lessons daily. An average U.S teacher almost doubles that teaching time with an average of over 1,080 hours. This equals an average of six or more lessons daily.  Also, teachers and students in Finland are not expected to be at school when they do not have a class.  If they don’t have any afternoon classes, they (both teachers and students) can leave. If their first class starts at 11:00, they don’t have to be at school until that time. This system allows the Finnish teacher more time to plan and think about each lesson. This system allows both students and teachers to be well rested and ready to teach/learn. 

     Finland works hard to make sure there are no “bad teachers.”  Primary education is THE most competitive degree to get in Finland. Finland understands that the ability to teach is usually a gift and passion. It isn't gained by studying. Not everyone has the skill to teach.  The few universities with teaching programs in Finland only accept skilled applicants. A Masters degree and a Masters Thesis is a must to qualify as a teacher. They also have to pass a series of interviews and personality screenings to get in. This generates a lot of confidence and trust in Finland’s teachers. 

    In Finland, teachers take their time.  They take a deeper look  into the topic. They don’t panic if they are a little behind or don’t cover every topic in the existence, of mathematics. The students get to actually understand the material before forcing a new topic on them. 

        Finnish students have the least amount of homework in the world. They average under half an hour of homework a night.  Finnish students usually do not have outside tutors or lessons either.  In spite of which, Finnish students are outscoring the high performing Asian nations. Students in Finland get their work done in the class. Teachers feel that what the students are able to do in school, is enough. Again, there is not pressure to have them do more than what is necessary for them to learn a skill. Yet, the students work on it in class sincerely. It is almost like there is an unspoken agreement. That is, there will be no homework if the work gets completed in the classroom.

Trust is the key to this whole system, and not the structure. Society trusts the schools to hire good Teachers.  The schools trust the teachers. Parents trust the teachers to make decisions that will help their children. The Teachers trust the students to do the work and learn. The Students trust the teachers. Society trusts the system .    

In Finland, Education is given the respect which it deserves.

-Anushka Prabhu