A Look at Finnish Schools

For years, Finland has stunned the world by coming out on top in youth education surveys, like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study. In fact, in the last PISA report, Finland had the highest cumulative score, top science marks, and came in second for both mathematics and reading when compared to some sixty other nations. How do the Finns do it? Do they perform rigid drills or spend longer hours in class? The answer to both questions is a resounding "no." In fact, Finnish schools are seemingly lax compared to what many people consider formal education.

Walk into a Finnish classroom and one of the first things you may notice is that students address teachers by their first name. You'll probably also realize many of the students are not wearing shoes. That's because children in Finnish schools are encouraged to be comfortable in their surroundings.

Finnish children truly take an active role in their own education. Each child is invited to set short-term goals and work towards them at his or her own pace. Whole-class instruction is limited and, instead, students often work in small groups or with a partner. Until the fifth grade, there are no formal grading scales. This relieves pressure on students and allows them to explore their interests without feeling rushed.

Children also have a lot of hands on experiences. They can utilize labs, workshops, and other materials in their learning process. Rather than deliver endless lessons, teachers merely serve as guides helping students complete assignments that are often of their own design. In the upper grades, students can opt for either an academic or vocational track suited to their individual interests. Both options allow for extensive practical learning and the opportunity to pursue high education, which, in Finland, is free of charge.

Unlike in the United States, funding for Finnish schools is equally distributed. This means that every school receives the same amount of funding regardless of its students' social class. Funding not only provides free education and school materials, but also includes a complimentary hot lunch each day. Students also get healthcare benefits at school. Children too young for formal school are also provided with free preschool countrywide.

Finnish children attend 9 years of formal schooling before enrolling in a higher education program. During this time, they study core subjects like reading, writing, math, science, and history. The nations' schools also offer specialized instruction in multiple foreign languages, handicrafts, physical education, art, and much more. Public schools also offer religious instruction, with students selecting study groups based upon their personal beliefs. As for Finnish teachers, they are highly qualified and must pass rigorous standards to obtain a job. In fact, Finland requires teachers at all levels to have a Masters level degree. Even with a degree, finding a job is a highly competitive process, and in some cases there is only one spot for every forty candidates. Pay is above-average, but not much different from salaries of American teachers. However, Finnish teachers do have exceptional freedom and are not bound by state tests and benchmarks.