Finland’s education system is often considered one of the best in the world. This Nordic country has succeeded in creating an educational environment that prioritizes quality, equity, and balance in learning. Many countries and educational experts are trying to understand and apply the principles applied in Finland in their own education system. Let’s study some important aspects of the Finnish education system that can serve as inspiration to us.
- Focus on Equality: One of the unique features of the Finnish education system is its strong focus on equality. Here, every child is considered to have the same right to get quality education. There are no national exams that lead to rankings of schools or students. Instead, emphasis is placed on individual development and helping each student reach their potential without undue pressure.
- Skilled Professional Educators: Finland has very high standards for teachers and educators. They are expected to have bachelor’s degrees and further education, as well as receive comprehensive training. This helps ensure that they have a deep understanding of effective teaching methods and can deal with the various challenges that may occur in a classroom environment.
- A Combination of Flexibility and Autonomy: The Finnish education system gives schools and teachers freedom and autonomy in designing their own curricula. Finland’s national curriculum provides general guidelines, but how it is structured and taught is up to the school’s decision. This approach provides room for innovation and customization that can accommodate the unique needs of each student.
- Practical and Creative Education: In Finland, practical and creative education plays an important role in learning. They integrate academic learning with practical activities, such as art, music, sports, and crafts. This helps promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills in students, as well as providing them with opportunities to develop their interests and talents outside of the academic curriculum.
- Balanced Study Load: Finland pays great attention to the balance between study time at school and rest time. They believe that adequate rest is important for recovery and improves students’ concentration. Therefore, study hours in Finland tend to be shorter compared to other countries. In addition, they place great value on activities outside the classroom and on leisure, which helps improve the overall well-being of students.
The Finnish education system shows us that a focus on equality, skilled professional educators, flexibility in curricula, practical and creative education, and a balanced study load can go a long way for students. While every education system has different challenges and contexts, we can learn from this Finnish approach and apply it in our own educational settings. Prioritize inclusive, quality, and balanced learning, and pay attention to the individual needs of each student, so that we can shape a better future through education.
