How Does The Education System Of Finland Works

Finland has been one of the best contenders on every Program for International Student Assessment survey. The country built a comprehensive education system which is designed to offer citizens free education with no dead ends. The inspiration for the approach of Finland was American education research and philosophers like John Dewey. The education system in Finland enjoys a lot of buzzes lately. It is considered as one of the best education systems across the globe. It routinely outperforms the United States in reading, mathematics, and science. And it has been the best performer since the first Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) triennial international survey back in 2000.

 

But ask someone what's so great about the schools of Finland, and you will typically be supplied with a factoid or three. They have shorter school days and also they don't do standardized tests. They all must be so smart because the Finnish language is a nightmare.

 

While these facts are true except for the last one. They miss the well-raked forests of Finland for its trees. The education system of Finland works because the entire structure has been around several core principles. First and foremost, equal access to education is a constitutional right. Another significant principle of this system is that one should be allowed to choose their educative path, which should never lead to a dead end.

 

Here's how the education system of Finland works to meet those principles. Imagine you are a Finnish parent or you are one, in which case, hyvää päivää. You have received a maternity grant, state-sponsored maternity leave, and even a wee-baby care box which doubles as a bed, so you can enjoy those first precious months in one of best nations to raise students. Now, you're starting to think about the education of children.

 

Finnish children are not needed to go to school until age 6 when pre-primary education starts. You are free to spend those early years teaching, playing, and bonding with your little one. If you wish to begin the education of your child earlier, the Finnish system provides an expansive early childhood education and care (ECEC) program, too.

 

According to the Finnish National Agency for Education's website, the program adopts a model which works on "learning through play" for promoting "balanced growth". Although guided by the National Core Curriculum for ECEC, the local municipality handles ECEC services and has broad autonomy, allowing resident administrators to make the calls regarding budget, class size, and educational aims.

 

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://bigthink.com/politics-current-affairs/how-finlands-education-system-works