An insight into Finland's education system

In this blog I will be writing about Finland's education system and what it makes to be the most successful education system in the world.

After reading the characteristics of education system of Finland, we can clearly identify the reasons of there success. we can also compare the differences between them and our own education system here in India.

• Education is free of cost and equal to all students; this is the basic principle of education system of Finland.

• Children go to school at the age of 7 years for their basic education.

• 99% students’ study in government school.

• There is no space for private schools and coaching also. 

• Mid-day meal is provided to all the students.

• Education system and the equality of education of schools are same whether those are situated in a village or in city.

• A class teacher remains the same from first class to sixth class. The reason behind it is that a class teacher tries to maintain a relationship with all students.

• English language is taught using musical instrument and playing English songs so that it can be easy to learn.

• Most important part of the education system of Finland is that the special attention is paid to those students who are weak in studies.

• It is the responsibility of school to help those students in those subjects in which they are weak.

• If they do not recover special extra classes are given to them and teachers from outside are also called so that they can help them to grow their level up.

• Many foreign languages are taught to the students during the period of upper secondary school.

• Different kind of games are played by students and these help them to create better understanding. They interact with all students, trust them, learn team building and social qualities.

• No examination is conducted from 1st standard to 12th standard. they go to next class on the basis of internal assessment.

• Education system of Finland is completely governnalised.

Some other key points:-

• Exam results are not shared and published.

• Teachers have to choose their own way of teaching.

• Society respect teacher, they don’t question them.

• If anyone wants to be a teacher it should be your 1st option not 2nd or 3rd.

• No uniforms for schools.

• Teachers requires compulsory master degree.

• Less of class hours and home works.

So secret of there success is not in the class but in the society, because all the people of the society and political factors put their joint efforts behind this education system to be applied in Finland. 

I being from the science background always had many problems in the way topic of science is been introduced to me. So I always had that urge to know what can be the best way teaching science to the students. Now when I am pursuing B.ED, I have understood what was wrong that happened with us and the things we should do make science or any subject for that matter to make interesting for the students.

So now I will discuss the way the topics of science is introduced to Finland students, and why not these can be implemented here in our country.

• The sciences curriculum is relevant to the needs, concern and personal experience of student.

• The teaching and learning of sciences are centered to inquiry, students investigate and test ideas and explanations about the natural world.

• Science and science education are valued by the community, have high priority in the school curriculum.

• Class sizes make it possible to employ a range of teaching strategies and provide opportunity for the teachers to get to know each child as a learner and give feedback to the individual.

• The teaching-learning environment is characterized by the enjoyment, fulfilment, ownership of and engagement in learning, and mutual respect between teachers and students. 

• Outdoor learning and fieldwork.

• Excellent facilities, equipment and resource’s supporting teaching and learning.

• Assessments serves the purpose of learning and is consistent with and complementary to good teaching.

For all these thing to be executed in the class environment the most important thing is the  teacher should have the proper knowledge of pedagogy. Pedagogy knowledge is more important than the content knowledge related to a particular subject, but here in India the emphasizes is given to those who have good content knowledge and not the knowledge of teaching.

At last I wanted to say that these thing are very important for the future of a child, just because science introduced by a teacher to a student in a pathetic way, a student lost his/her interest in science. THEN THIS IS NOT LESS THAN KILLING AN ENGINEER OR A SCIENTIST that will serve the nation.