I am still reading and inwardly digesting the book “Policy Development and Reform Principles of Basic and Secondary Education in Finland since 1968”, but I have learnt that the six cornerstones to a good education in Finland are:
Same nine-year basic school for all. Finnish children start compulsory nine-year basic school in August of the year when they turn seven years old.
Good teachers. The teaching profession has always enjoyed great public respect and appreciation in Finland. Parents trust teachers as professionals who know what is best for their children. Teachers therefore have considerable independence in the classroom in terms of choosing appropriate pedagogical methods
Sustainable leadership. Education sector development in Finland has been based on the continuous adjustment of schooling to the changing needs of children, families, and society.
Recognition and appreciation of existing innovations. During the last 30 years, the culture of innovation has taken root in the education system.
Flexible accountability, i.e. focus on deep learning, not testing. Finland has not followed the Anglo-Saxon accountability movement in education that believes in making schools and teachers accountable for learning results. Traditionally, evaluation of student outcomes has been the task of each teacher and school in Finland. The only standardized high-stake assessment is the Matriculation Examination at the end of upper-secondary school before students enroll in tertiary education. Prior to this Matriculation Examination, no external national tests or exams are required. This has helped both students and teachers to focus on learning in a fear-free environment. At the same time, creativity and risk-taking have also become common features in Finnish schools.
The culture of trust. The culture of trust basically means that the system, that is, the Ministry of Education and the National Board of Education, believes that teachers together with principals, parents, and their communities know how to provide the best possible education for their children and youth.
I'll finish for now, on the fact that according to the CIA World Factbook, public expenditure in Finland on education in 2007 as a percent of GDP was 5.4%, in comparison to the UK who spent the same year 5.6% of GDP.
Same nine-year basic school for all. Finnish children start compulsory nine-year basic school in August of the year when they turn seven years old.
Good teachers. The teaching profession has always enjoyed great public respect and appreciation in Finland. Parents trust teachers as professionals who know what is best for their children. Teachers therefore have considerable independence in the classroom in terms of choosing appropriate pedagogical methods
Sustainable leadership. Education sector development in Finland has been based on the continuous adjustment of schooling to the changing needs of children, families, and society.
Recognition and appreciation of existing innovations. During the last 30 years, the culture of innovation has taken root in the education system.
Flexible accountability, i.e. focus on deep learning, not testing. Finland has not followed the Anglo-Saxon accountability movement in education that believes in making schools and teachers accountable for learning results. Traditionally, evaluation of student outcomes has been the task of each teacher and school in Finland. The only standardized high-stake assessment is the Matriculation Examination at the end of upper-secondary school before students enroll in tertiary education. Prior to this Matriculation Examination, no external national tests or exams are required. This has helped both students and teachers to focus on learning in a fear-free environment. At the same time, creativity and risk-taking have also become common features in Finnish schools.
The culture of trust. The culture of trust basically means that the system, that is, the Ministry of Education and the National Board of Education, believes that teachers together with principals, parents, and their communities know how to provide the best possible education for their children and youth.
I'll finish for now, on the fact that according to the CIA World Factbook, public expenditure in Finland on education in 2007 as a percent of GDP was 5.4%, in comparison to the UK who spent the same year 5.6% of GDP.
1 comment:
"The culture of trust ... believes that teachers together with principals, parents, and their communities know how to provide the best possible education for their children and youth".
Sadly in the UK (and not just in the education sector), Ministers, often with little or no experience in their given portfolio's, determine policy with little heed given to the leading proponents in the field.
You mention a 'fear-free' environment - learning (like work) is (or should be) fun and enjoyable.
What was it Kropotkin said? -
"Let us play in the factories, the fields, the schools and the streets"
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