Northern Lights !

Education in Finland

Dr Riitta Juusenaho
Tampere, Finland
 Riitta Juusenaho
• Specialist in Finnish Education
System, it´s evaluation systems
and research.
• Trained primary school teacher,
Principal, Director of Education and
Culture.
• PhD in 2004 about school
leadership and management styles
of Finnish comprehensive school
principals from the perspective of
gender.
• Several publications about school
leadership and management.
 1940-1970
6
5 Working life 工
4 Universities
3
2
1

High school
Grammar school

3 years Vocational
colleges Voctional schools
1-4 years 1-2 years
Middle school
5years +2

6
4 Elementary school+ civic school 5
3 4
2 3
1 2
1

Kindergarten
 The Finnish Education System
high education

5– Polytehcnics
Universities master´s degrees
years Specialist vocational
master´s degrees bachelor´s degrees
bachelor´s degrees qualifications

upper secondary education

matriculation examination
Further vocational
3–4 General Upper secondary Upper Vocational
qualifications
years
schools Institutions

Work experience
One apprenticeship training
voluntary
additional age 16
year Basic education
9-10
years (comprehensive schools)
age 7

Pre-primary education age 6

Early childhood education and care age 0-5

Riitta Juusenaho
 The structure of a school curriculum in Finland 2016

Basic values, task and objectives

the assessement of pupils and schools

Conseption of learning, school culture, learning environments and

working approaches and methods

distribution of lesson hours language programme knowledge strategy

学生和学校评估

cooperation
合作
cross curricular themes

subjects subjects subjects subjects

supporting learning guidance student welfare services

 Teachers´ autonomicy

•What they want to emphasize in their teaching

•When they teach certain topics

•How or where they teach them

•What methods they use in teaching

•Which subjects and topics they decide to integrate

•How much and what kind of homework they assign to their students

•How they evaluate and assess learning

Yes, there is homework in Finland

General Western Model Finnish Model

Standardisation Flexibility and diversity

strict standards for schools, teachers and school-based curriculum development,

students to guarantee the quality of steering by information and support.
outscomes.

Emphasis on literacy and numeracy Emphasis on broad knowledge

basic skills in reading, writing, mathematics equal value to all aspects of individual growth
and science as prime target of education and learning; personality, morality, creativity,
reform. knowledge and skills.

Consequential accountability Trust through professionalism

evaluation by inspection a culture of trust on teacher´s and

principals´professionalism in judging what is
best for students and in reporting of
progress. Evaluation is a tool for
development.
 What´s happening in the field of Finnish
primary education?
school begins at the age of six

public schools
still
education is free for all
the learning outcoms are
equality and equity
among the best in the world!
less homework

fewer classes

less stress and plenty of breaks

short school days

the freedom of teachers

the autonomy of schools

lack of inspection etc.

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 Highlights in Finnish Education

• Everyone has equal opportunities for education regardless of their financial

situation.
• Education is free of charge for all.
• Education is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education.
• Municipalities (cities) are required to organize education.
• The funding is divided between the State (57 %) and the local authorities (43 %).
• The Finnish National Agency for Education decides the contents of the core
curriculum in every level.
• Based on the national curriculum, each provider of education prepares the local
curriculum.
• The schools have the right to provide educational services according to their own
administrative arrangements as long as the functions determined by law, are carried
out.
• Kindergartens (or smaller family day care groups in private homes) charge
reasonable fees depending on parental income.

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 Highlights in Finnish Education

• There is no school inspectorate in Finland.

• Teachers are educated at Universities where they complete a higher
university degree (Master’s).
• The system relies on the proficiency of teachers and there is a trust
between education authorities and schools.
• Finns hold the teaching profession in high esteem and only a small
proportion of those applying for teacher education are admitted.
• Finland guarantees post-compulsory studies for the whole school-
leaving age group.
• A flexible path of education from pre-primary education to working life.
• Lifelong learning –attitude.

Tekijä: Riitta Juusenaho 10

 More facts
• Both self-evaluation and external evaluation are strongly emphasized.

• The school year means 190 days, five days a week.

• Each lesson lasts one hour(60 min.) including a 15 min. break.

• Learning to learn -attitude.

• The Finnish matriculation examination gives a general eligibility for

university education (external evaluation).

• Universities select their own students on the basis of entrance

examination.

• Competition for the study places is very hard.

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Four seasons!
四季千秋

Learning can be
fun!
学习应该是快乐的
！
Tekijä: Riitta Juusenaho 12
Co-operation between schools and parents in Finland
Education providers are required to co-operate with pupil´s homes
( Basic Education Act)

Individual needs and positive support are in focus with every

child/student.

Child/students can never be disparaged or defamed by adults or

other children!

Every one has the same rights! A right to be heard and seen!
Parents hold the primary responsibility for raising their children.

In early childhood education, teachers act as the education partners

of children’s parents and guardians, supporting them in the vital task
of raising their child.

Trusting relationship and mutual respect between homes

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and teachers are very important!

 How to build the trust?
Co-operation with the home is important so that children’s growth and learning proceed
without a hitch.
Co-operation is necessary throughout the whole child’s education path, from early
childhood education to upper secondary education.

Co-operation must be based on reciprocity. Regular dialogue helps to sort things out
when problems arise.
The importance of co-operation is especially highlighted during changes such as
educational transitions or when moving from one day-care centre/school to another.

Teachers training
The school culture
Positive attitude
Common events ( discussions, school festivals, meetings)
Openness and honesty
Shared respect
Shared values
Communication skills
 PISA: What do the high performing school systems have
in common? Programme for International Student Assessment

• They get the right people to become teachers

• They develop these people in to effective instructors

• They create systems and arrange targeted support to

ensure that every child is able to benefit from excellent
instruction

Source: McKinsey&Company2007: How the world’s best-

performing school systems come out on top, p.13:
27.11.2017 Tekijä: Lisää tähän oma nimesi alatunnisteesta
1
McKinsey&Company2007. 6
 The Finnish Parents´ Union

-training for teachers and parents (funded by National Agency for

Education)

-local parents´Unions

-National Parent´s and School Day

( last Friday on September)

-Materials and best practices

-Principal´s breakfast/ evening tea for parents

-Football game teachers-parents!

-Parents as experts in schools

-Grandparents visiting classes !

At least once a year teacher meets parents privately ( Act of Law,
National Core Curriculum)

-educational discussion about students perfomances ( assessment)

Teacher has private discussion with the student (assessment)

Once or twice a year a theacher invites parents to school to a meeting

-communication, negotiation, planning

-shared values ( bed time, dietary habits, Internet gaming etc.etc)
Comments, questions or remarks?