Katherine R.
Dahang
BEED 2
REFLECT IN
Education differs from one country to
another because every country possesses its
own system of education. However, as I watch
the video of the educational system of Finland
it’s very surprising that they has the world’s
best education system. In Finland, compulsory
education is 9 years, where students never
change their schools for the purpose of
embracing their school as a second home, their
teachers as second mothers and fathers.
Students work in library, help in the school
kitchen, do gardening and clean the fish tank
in school in the hope that they will see school
as their second home.
In addition, during the first six years of
education, students are taught by the same
teacher. Teachers choose their own teaching
materials and teaching methods. Every class
consists of two teachers, one to assist the other
so that nobody is left behind. Students don’t
take any national examinations until the end of
compulsory education period. Additionally,
The Finland Phenomenon
REFLECT ON
If it will happened here in Philippines
maybe it will give progress in my study
because more class time is available for
students to complete projects at their own
pace, and identify and develop their own style
of learning. Students assume high levels of
personal responsibility in the classroom which
frees teachers to help individual students. The
model, then, is based on student-need and
learning style, with an emphasis on students
finding solutions on their own. Students can go
into greater depth with projects due to brevity
of the national core curriculum and still have
time to engage in activities which interest
them.
Here in Philippines the impact on my study
is not will enhanced for its lack of teaching and
learning materials have been a long-time
problem. But still sub-standard textbooks,
obsolete books which does not conform to the
topic and learning skills designed in the
curriculum remained to be an issue. Moreover,
REFLECT AT
Its attainment within the Philippine setting
is of far distance considering the resources the
Philippines allotted for public education. If the
subject of reference is the Finland education
system, then, we are not getting even in the
first step or initial move for such dream. No
matter how desirous we are in attaining quality
of education, without going into the practice
by which Finland manifested, and now being
reproduced by other country, then such dreams
will become a nightmare.
In the Philippines we can hardly speak of
education without suggesting at once the
school, for the school is the centre of our
education. To most Filipino educators the
educational process and the school process are
one. It is in the school where we have a sure
manifestation of the educational process. I
realized that education is forever developing,
changing, growing and alive. It is a continuous
process. Yes, it is slowly deteriorating, sad but
true, with the different factors involved.
pupils don’t face any school exams up to the some subjects do not even have the prescribed Idealistic curriculum should not only be
end of first four school years. The schools in textbooks. One of the examples why I reflected in a paper as a mere vision, but it
Finland are bright and airy, well maintained, personally say that education should be taken should be something realistic and attainable.
and clean. Children move around them freely, seriously by some implementers is the existing Try to note of the newly implemented
not walking in lines. School environments feel problems of slow readers and even students Secondary School Curriculum, yet, no single
relaxed and casual; schoolchildren are not who could hardly read a two-syllable or more textbook is being provided for it. It is really
rushed. Class sizes are small, at 20 to 25 words. It has been already expected that an sad and depressing when we look at our public
students. All children receive a free lunch elementary graduate can already read and school system nowadays. Teachers in the far-
daily, no matter their income level, so children comprehend, but there are some who were flung areas or in rural public schools will have
from lower income families do not feel tagged as slow readers and a few considered to a hard time reproducing the learning materials
stigmatized. Through elementary school and be non-readers especially in the first year and students also will have a hard time doing
secondary grades, students engage in hands-on level. High school teachers are not tasked of a follow-up activity for the suggested topic. Be
activities and projects as well as seatwork. teaching them the very basic of reading, yet the reminded that not all public schools have the
Teachers strive to foster intrinsic motivation problem is there. Why do we allow students in Internet connection, and not all teachers and
and an ability to self-evaluate. In Finland, elementary that could hardly read and write to students are computer literate. Thus, teachers
school is a place for learning and growing, not be promoted in high school? They will only will have a hard time modifying the activities
for obsessively getting points or gold stars or have a hard time coping with a more to be given. With this, there is no assurance
pizza parties. challenging task in learning. The distorted that the ultimate goal of our educational
image that our education has as perceived by system will be achieved.
All teachers have master’s degrees and are our children can only be changed if teachers
highly regarded by the public. There are no and other stakeholders understand the real Education is very important if we want to
school inspections, and teachers are not purpose of education and communicate it have progressive Philippines. Revision of
evaluated. It’s very fascinating that the key properly through practices. curriculum should be done because it is really
aspects of the Finns’ educational success are necessary and not because we have a new set
they give emphasis on cooperation and What really matters for teachers and other of political leaders in our country. It should be
collaboration among all educators, they are stakeholders is always reflected by their a long-time productive program geared
more focus on the child’s learning and they actions. It is only when children concretely towards the information and technological age
dedicated on equity. observe their teachers consistently practice and not just for experimentation. Filipinos are
these good values that they will be able to really talented and smart. All we need is good
replicate these in themselves. education to hone the talents and to learn more
so we can be more competitive out there.