The Most Amazing Education System In The World: Finland

1. Age of compulsory schooling starts in Finland 7

Children go to school themselves on foot or by bicycle regardless of their age. Finnish culture cares for children to grow independently.

2. The Finnish education curriculum consists of a simple and general framework

Students have right to shape their own educational programs in line with their interests and needs. So have the teachers.

3. Finnish students are not graded in any way during the first six years of their education

Students are not graded at all in the first six years of their school. There is no obligation to grade until the end of eighth grade, and students are not subject to standardized tests. Only at the age of 16 that they take a test across the country.

4. Teachers teach an average of four hours a day

They spend two hours a week to participate in training for their own further professional development. In primary school, students spend 75 minutes in various activities other than studies. In America, this rate is down to 27 minutes and 45 minutes in Turkey.

5. All teachers have at least a master’s degree

All teachers have at least a master’s degree and are selected among the best 10% of graduates. Teachers hold a very respected status in the society. Finnish teachers can not be judged as a good or a bad teacher. If they need an area they need to develop, they are lead to education and training programs. No teacher gets laid off due to bad performance.

6. No homework is given to the students because school is the place for learning.

Every child is valued as an individual. If one of the children does not learn well enough, their teacher immediately notices it and organizes the child’s learning program according to his/her individual needs. The same is true for children who excel in class, are bored, or whose learning status is ahead. The teachers play a crucial role in managing students creating flexible solutions. During the first nine years, on average 30% of children are supported by special programs.

7. Sports are a big deal in Finnish schools

There are plenty of sports facilities in Finnish schools, but there are no teams to play sports. Competition is not something that is valued in Finnish culture to gain superiority.

8. Finland does not have private schools, all of its educational spendings are supported by the government

In Finland, schools do not compete with each other, they act with solitary. Almost all of the schools have the same success. Therefore, there is no status distinction between schools. Education means “providing equal opportunities for everyone”. The concept of equality is very much emphasized.

9. Compared to many European countries and the United States, education budget in Finland has reflected in the classroom environment. 

Since teachers and administrators receive almost the same salary, training costs are kept minimal. However, a 15-year senior teacher has a better pay than a recent college graduate.

*Resource  © Finnish Ministry of Education