According to various reports and surveys, Finland is one of the best countries in many fields, ranging from a peaceful, happier life to high-quality education. A long list of surveys and reports shows its ever-rising progress in the education system. US News, the UN education index, the European Survey, and PISA are some of those sources that illustrate the top position of Finland in education.
According to various reports and surveys, Finland is one of the best countries in many fields, ranging from a peaceful happier life to high-quality education. A long list of surveys and reports shows its ever-rising progress in the education system. US News, the UN education index, the European Survey, and PISA are some of those sources that illustrate the top position of Finland in education.
Why the Finnish School Education System is the best
Education is an important metric to measure progress in any country. It is one of the most significant indexes that not only shows the wellness of any country but also illustrates the human rights level of that country. From another perspective, it represents the philosophical roots of education in any society. We can imagine the significance of the education system when we ask why Finland is the most peaceful, happy, uncorrupted, and lawful country because the Finnish education system plays a great role in making Finland have these remarkable attributes. The Finnish education system points out an important issue in the measurement of education levels. Assessment of education by its efficiency in STEM is not a good criterion. We should also assess the behavior, commitment, and other moral values of the students because high marks in STEM with a high crime rate are not a symbol of a successful country.
Overall, the most important attributes that make Finnish school education distinct are as follows:
1-Education without tense
2-Grading on an individualized basis
3-Cooperation instead of competition
4-Psychological growth of wellness and personality
5-Highly trained and responsible teachers
Pre-primary Education
Pre-primary education is provided for all children without cost, and it prepares them to be ready for primary education. It starts at the age of 6 and continues for one year. It is compulsory from 2015 for all children. The Finnish National Agency for Education is responsible for giving guidelines and preparing a framework for the local curriculum of pre-primary schools.
It is a ruling principle of the Finnish pre-primary system that priority is to be given to the best interests of the children. Their right to well-being, care, and protection is the priority in decision-making. No discrimination and equal opportunity to be educated are other general rules of the system.
Primary and Lower Secondary Education
Children pass comprehensive school education from age 7 to 16, and it includes grades 1 to 9. This level of education is divided into two sub-levels: primary and lower secondary education. It is also compulsory and free of charge. Local authorities run these schools. Free learning materials, daily school meals, health and welfare services, and transport from school to home are provided for all students by the government. The guidelines for the curriculum are given by the government, but the municipalities are responsible for making curricula according to local needs. The objectives and contents described for different subjects are connected with underlying values, conceptions of learning, and school culture. It is considerable that students are encouraged to set their academic goals and to assess their performance in the short and long term. Teachers help them describe their experiences, interests, and behavior toward others. Teachers are responsible for guiding them to become lifelong learners.
We can find a great emphasis on transversal competencies. It is required that teachers give importance to activities related to these transversal competencies, which include
- Thinking and learning to learn
- cultural competence,
- interaction and self-expression
- taking care of oneself and managing daily life
- multiliteracy
- ICT competence
- Working life competence and entrepreneurship
- participation, involvement, and building a sustainable future
Upper Secondary Education
Three years of upper secondary education prepare students for higher education in universities or vocational training in vocational institutes.
Transversal competencies are of paramount importance, and according to the national core curriculum 2019, the required transversal competencies are as follows:
- Well-being competence
- Interaction competence
- multidisciplinary and creative competence
- Societal competence
- Ethical and environmental competence
- Global and cultural competence
Students have to complete 150 credits in upper secondary. Students are trained on how to build their identity, how to have a perception of humanity, and how to find a philosophy of life. They are encouraged to check what they like, whether their interest is in science or whether they have been created for the arts.
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