Edu- Essence

FINLAND EDUCATION SYSTEM

n this edition we will try to give you a deep insight into the education system of Finland, widely touted by many as the most successful education system in the world- a fact that is supported by awards from various evaluation bodies, as part of our ongoing series profiling education systems I

around the world.

The teachers are respected; high talent is attracted into teaching; it is considered to be one of the most important professions.” -Finnish Prime Minister, Matti Vanhanen

T h e a b o v e neighbors, has many statement by credits to its name. It t h e P r i m e ranks in the top three M i n i s t e r o f competitive countries in Finland pretty the world and is home to much sums up some of the best names in the importance the hi-tech space. In order g i v e n t o to retain the edge and keep teaching as a profession and education as a its people competitive and thereby to maintain whole in this Scandinavian country. If ever their economic welfare, Finland believes in there arises a question regarding the success of investing heavily in education. According to aligning education with national interests, its ministry of education, the core principles of Finland is the country to look in. Finland, education policy are Quality, Efficiency, though a small country in comparison to its Equity and Internationalism.

According to its ministry of education, the core principles of education policy are Q u a l i t y , E f f i c i e n c y, E q u i t y a n d Internationalism.

Finland is home to around 800 high tech companies including the mobile phone giant Nokia

S o spend the least amount of time in the m u c h classrso that o o m i n when Finland comp, access a r e d t o t o educati children in countries around the world. The o n i s government's policy is such that it strengthens guarant the efficiency of the education system and eed by enhances people's learning capacity. Also, the

the constitution and the government carves its policy is carved out in such a way as to system according to the incorporate the concept of life visions and interests of l o n g l e a r n i n g s o t h a t the nation. Every child e v e r y b o d y h a s e q u a l has a right to free, equal opportunities to enhance their and quality education skill sets and to align their and the legislat ion k n o w l e d g e w i t h t h e obliges the government requirements of the times. to provide children with the same by funding the The Systementire cost of education. Children in Finland have a The Parliament passes statutory right and obligation l e g i s l a t i o n o n t h e to complete school education education policy and and statistics show that almost e n t r u s t s t h e all the children do so. As an responsibility of its overview, basic education is s u c c e s s f u l free and compulsory for all implementation with the children and begins at the age Government, which acts of seven. There however, is a through the Ministry of voluntary one year pre-Education. Every four primary stage before the start years, the government of basic education and most reviews and works out a development plan for children op for this as well. The basic education and research, which is generally in education is for a period of nine years, line with achieving the nation's goals and followed by upper secondary education which ensuring it's all round welfare. Because they usually lasts for three years and ends with a believe and act to strengthen the grass root national level Matriculation examination, systems, it is not surprising that the Finnish are c l eone of the most economically and culturally a r isecure people in the world. n g

whiThe Finnish have a unique and fun approach to c h education and don't stress too much on proclassroom training. In fact, children in Finland v id

children in Finland spend the least amount of time in the classroom when compared to children in countries around the world.

voluntary for children and is decided by their parents. The most interesting part however, is that the Min is t ry o f Educa t ion recommends only 13 children per group in this program. This can be extended to a maximum of 20 children per group provided the school provides trained adult in addition to the teacher to oversee the activities. As per the latest statistics from the ministry, 96 % of children of the age group six go to pre-primary school.

Basic EducationChildren in Finland start compulsory education at the

es eligibility to continue higher studies at age of seven. (Unlike most countries where polytechnics and universities. students start much earlier, example pre-

primary in India, which starts at the age of just The Government and Local Authorities three!) provide free basic education through schools, which start in mid-August and end in early Basic education is general education lasting June with a total of 190 working days and a 10 week summer holiday period. Local organizations arrange for some voluntary activities for the first, second year students and for those with special needs. These activities include sports, music, arts and the likes and are designed to help promote emotional growth and well being of children.

Pre-Primary EducationPre-Primary education in Finland is provided free of charge and starts at the age of six and is

for

a period of one year. The local authorities are entrusted with the statutory responsibility of providing pre-primary education to six year olds. However, enrolment in this program is

Children in Finland start compulsory education at the age of seven

for nine years and is provided free of cost. A student also has the option of cont inu ing h is r completing compulsory basic education basic education for one more have two options – Initial Vocational studies

th and General Upper Secondary Education. year (i.e 10 year). This education is compulsory and is provided at schools in the nearby locality so as to make General Upper Secondary school travel short and thereby safe. As such,

Educationmost schools have strength of not more than The Upper secondary education is not 500-600 pupils at the maximum. The syllabus mandatory. However, most students opt for it. is designed in line with the national It consists of either General or Vocational guidelines. Perhaps the biggest difference education and lasts about three to four years. with systems of other countries lies in the fact The best thing is that the program isn't based that students in Finland spend the entire basic on any specified year-classes and students education program of nine years at the same have the flexibility to complete the program school promoting a sense of unity. Children either in two, three or four years giving an are provided with various support services,

opportunity for each student including free meals, to study at his own pace. The textbooks, equipments, program ends in a national traveling and health care, l e v e l m a t r i c u l a t i o n to help them with their e x a m i n a t i o n . T h i s o v e r a l l w e l l b e i n g . examina t ion tes t s the S t u d e n t s a r e a l s o student's knowledge and encouraged to pursue u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e extracurricular activities curriculum designed for such as sports, music, upper secondary education dance, arts and the likes. and provides eligibility for Students with special students to continue higher

studies at Polytechnics, Vocational Institutes needs are entitled to special teaching and Universities. The courses offered at these alongside regular classes. All the teachers at upper secondary schools differ from school to this level are required to have a Master's school. Some schools specialize in sports, degree and keeping in view the standards of some in music; some others offer specialized the Finnish education system, it is needless to courses in arts while some others lead to an say that the quality of teaching is par international examination and the choice is excellence. Teaching from years 7-9 is done w i d e . by subject specialists. Successful completion Most of of the nine year comprehensive school t h e s e syllabus doesn't lead to any qualification and u p p e r students are given a School Leaving secondaCertificate.r y schools S t uprovide denf r e e t s educatiafteon and

The Finnish educational has system has been rated the best educational system in the world by several leading

The gap between the best performing schools and worst performing schools in the country is a measly 4%

are run b y loca l authoritie

s with significant financing from the on for higher studies at Polytechnics and government. Universities.

Further and continued vocational education comes under the purview of the Ministry of Vocational Education and TrainingEducation and is intended for working people Vocational education is divided into two parts – looking to enhance their knowledge and initial and further and continued training. The acquire new skills.basic aim of this program is to respond to the

demands of labor market and to provide highly skilled workforce. The program is based on Higher Educationcredits and people who have cleared the After the successful completion of Upper matriculation examination can also join initial Secondary Education/Vocational Training, vocational education. There are a total of 119 students gain eligibility to continue their recognized vocational courses that award studies at Polytechnics/Universities. While qualifications in 53 different streams to choose Universities (the small country of Finland has from, which include popular options like around 20 world class universities) specialize Technology and Transport, Business and in free research, scientific and artistic Administration, Health and Social Services, education and grant graduate and post graduate Tourism, Economics, Natural Resources, educational degrees, Polytechnic are geared Culture, Physical Education and the likes. towards developing skills keeping the labor Successful completion o f vocational c o u r s e s p r o v i d e s qualificati

The best thing is that the program isn't based on any specified year-classes and students have the flexibility to complete the program either in two, three or four years giving an opportunity for each student to study at his own pace.

market in mind. The system of Polytechnics, the secondary education is though a relatively recent phenomenon, and totally free. Surprisingly, even Universities are the two pillars of the Finnish though the amount of money Higher Education system. spent per student by the

government is the highest in Finland, the total s p e n d o n e d u c a t i o n i s much less that that of the US or e v e n S o u t h

Korea for that matter, which is a good point to Adult Educationunderstand that the efficacy of a system is In addition to the above, Finland provides more important than the amount of excellent opportunities for adults willing to investment. Higher education too is almost enhance their skills as a response to the free as the government heavily subsidizes the c h a n g i n g t i m e s a n d e m p l o y m e n t costs. Finland's policy on education over the opportunities. People who are already years has been based on its economic survival. working professionals choose this mode of In order to maintain its high wage, high skill study to add to their knowledge and improve economic system and to ward off competition their prospects. Adult Education is provided as from the low cost Asian economies, Finland's part of the life long learning process and is believes in investing heavily in education. In provided at different levels totally free of fact education has been the driving force charge except in the case of extended behind Finland's transformation from an Vocational Education and Training, which economy based on agriculture not so long ago though not free, is subsided by the government to today's high tech economy.( Finland is so as to not be a burden on the students.home to around 800 high tech companies including the mobile phone giant Nokia). Here

International Recognition are some statistics that prove the efficiency of The Finnish educational has system has been the system.rated the best educational system in the world by several leading international surveys. The country spends the highest amount of money per student on basic, elementary and high school education than any other country in the world and when it comes to spending on h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n Finland ranks a close second. Everything from tuition, course m a t e r i a l s , transportation, lunches and health care until

Everything from tuition, course materials, transportation, lunches and health care until the secondary education is totally free.

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

has been ranked the best especially when it comes to language skills, science and mathematics.

To sum it up, the success of an education system depends to a large extent on the way it is designed and implemented in line with national goals. The ministry of education

Finland has the largest rate of teen literacy in through proper research ensures that its policy the world, a reducing trend in which is one of creates a system which provides equal the major concerns in the developed world. opportunity to all and encourages maximum

participation from the public because in The country has the highest percentage of Finland, education is viewed as something regular readers in the world.that is needed to maintain the economic

Finnish students study at the same school welfare of the country and to help its people from age 7 to age 16, which ensures the retain their competitive edge in these days of teaching staff knows the students and their globalization. In the whole process, a teacher families well and also enables to present every is thus viewed as having one of the most student with an equal opportunity. responsible and important jobs as they are

entrusted with the responsibility of shaping The gap between the best performing schools the destiny of their country. Backed by this and worst performing schools in the country is brilliantly designed education system, the a measly 4%Finnish are no wonder one of the most

Finland is the most creatively compositive economically successful people in the world

economy in the world, according to world todayeconomic forum.

Finnish students spend the least amount of time in the class rooms when compared to the students from the industralized world.

According to the OECD’s Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which tests the knowledge and skills of 15 year old s tudents in the developed world once every three years, the Finnish education system

.n

According to the OECD’s Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which tests the knowledge and skills of 15 year old students in the developed world once every three years, the Finnish education system has been ranked the best especially when it comes to language skills, science and mathematics.