COUNTRY SUMMARY HOMEWORK

FINNISH EDUCATION
SYSTEM

A summary on Finnish education system:

 Finland is a European country. One of the well-known facts about Finland is that Finnish
education system is among the best education models in the world. In this essay, I will summarize
the basic facts about Finnish education system.

I want to begin with the purpose of national education of Finland. At the very beginning of
the summary, I want to emphasize that education is valued and appreciated in Finland. So the
purpose of Finnish education system is equality and opportunity for anyone. They do offer anyone
equal chance to get educated no matter what their age, race, financial situation or sex is. Education is
one of the fundamental rights.

Secondly, I will explain the structure of the schools at different levels. In Finland, kids begin
to basic education at age seven. Before age seven, they are not allowed to go to the school; the
reason behind this is that they believe kids should be kids. Education at home is more effective than
education at schools at early ages. Before basic education, there is pre-primary education for children
at age 6 which is not compulsory. Unlike many countries, in pre-primary education in Finland,
children are taught not only social behaviors and physical and motor capabilities, but also
mathematics, ethics, philosophy, natural and social studies, art and culture.

Basic education is for children from seven to sixteen year olds. As you can understand, to
complete basic education, at least 9 years is necessary. One of the most important side here is
Finnish education system is intended to educate children with the same teacher for at least 6 years. In
my opinion, aim here is to prevent kids have different adaptation periods with different teachers.
Moreover, this is also so advantageous for teachers since they see the physical and mental
development of children from seven to sixteen. They become like second mother of children. There
is also one more interesting fact here. Children at ninth grade have an opportunity to continue their
education one year more as 10th grade if they do not feel themselves ready for high school.

I want to underline a fact that curriculum is not too sharp in Finland. I mean, there are some
guidelines that guide teachers through subjects to teach but teachers, themselves, determine the
details of the curriculum: which materials to use, the priorities of topics they teach, which method
they use. This system shows the trust that Finland has through teachers. Generally, in the basic
education curriculum, there are mother tongue and literature, foreign languages, environmental
studies, civics, ethics, history, social studies, mathematics, physics, chemistry, philosophy, music,
visual arts, home economics.
 After the basic education, there is upper secondary education for children from 16 to 19.
When children complete basic education, they can choose either general or vocational upper
secondary education. The criteria while choosing the upper secondary education schools is not a
standardized test like in our country. Based on students’ achievement record in basic education and
their interests, students make their choice. The formal duration for upper secondary education is 3
years; however, students can complete it in 2-4 years. Again there are not sharp restrictions in their
curriculum such as general math course belongs to 2nd year 1st term. Instead, there is a regulation
that students have to complete required number of courses to graduate. They can take those lessons
according to their interests whenever they want.

When taking a look at Finnish education system, there is a point that may be the secret of
their success: no testing. Students have no testing until they are 16. Even in general upper secondary
education, in order to teach students cooperation, not competence, there are very few examinations.
One of the exams is matriculation exam that is done after upper secondary education. Matriculation
exams cover four compulsory tests: the two national languages, a foreign language, and mathematics
or general studies (humanities or natural sciences). After completing matriculation exam, students
are given a certificate which shows the details of the tests passed and grades they achieved.

Students who do not prefer general upper secondary education prefer vocational upper
secondary education. These schools have criteria related to students’ achievement record in basic
education and work experiences. In vocational upper secondary schools, students learn working life
with other courses such as mother tongue, mathematics, natural studies, art, culture, etc. after
completing 3 years vocational upper secondary schools, students get a diploma. Diploma is a key for
vocational upper secondary education students through universities.

Let me talk about higher education some. In Finland, higher education can become in two
ways. First one is polytechnics; second one is universities. The difference between them is that
universities are based on scientific research, while polytechnics are based on practical studies.

In order to be admitted to polytechnics, taking the matriculation exam, or completing upper

secondary school, or having a vocational qualification is necessary. Polytechnics also have criteria
related to work experiences and previous student achievement. In polytechnics, instruction is based
on business and administration, tourism, catering, technology and communication, health care and
social services. In order to get a polytechnic degree, the necessary duration is 3.5 to 4.5 years.
 Just like polytechnics, in order to be admitted to universities, taking the matriculation exam,
or having a 3-year vocational qualification is necessary. Universities select their own students
independently. There are some aptitude tests and different selection processes. Furthermore, there are
two different degree systems at university; one for lower degree, one for higher degree. While the
lower or bachelors’ degree can be completed in 3 years, the higher or masters’ degree can be
completed in 5-6 years. (I want to give additional information here: in order to be a teacher in
Finland, you have to have a masters’ degree otherwise, it is not possible.) Universities also do offer
postgraduate degrees which are licentiates and doctorates.

I tried to explain the general structure of education system in previous paragraphs. There are
things I did not mention previously which are really extremely important for me:

First of all, pre-primary education, basic education and upper secondary education are
free of charge. Since Finland value education and in order to encourage people through
education, there is no tuition fee, school meals and school service (traveling to and from
school) are free of charge at all levels. Learning materials and textbooks are provided by state
in pre-primary and basic education. This is really amazing! This shows the great importance
that Finland shows through education and the big amount of money reserved for education.

Secondly, there are no private schools in Finland. Almost all schools at all levels are
public schools. Even if there are very few private schools, the budget that state allocates for
private schools is the same as the one for public schools. So public schools are more
advantageous than private schools. As I said at the very beginning of my essay, the purpose
of Finnish education system is equality and opportunity. By discouraging private schools and
encouraging public schools, Finland has an important step through equality.

Thirdly, the design of Finland schools and classrooms reflect the Finnish educational
system. Building of schools is designated by architects in order to provide an elegant and
relaxing environment. Desks in classes are designated by teachers according to the group
work. There are not so many rules related to discipline. In some schools, students call their
teachers with teachers’ first name. The only thing that teachers aim is student learning.

Lastly, there is a topic that I really get confused about. In Finland, every student no
matter needs special education or not studies in the same classroom. Special education is
included in normal education. When there are students who need special education, teacher
gives extra care to them.
 When I think about advantages and disadvantages of Finnish education system, advantages
outweigh disadvantages. I can even say that there is one disadvantage or none I could find.
Educational expenses’ being free of charge including school meals, services, learning materials,
textbooks; governments’ encouraging public schools instead of private schools; compulsory school
age’ being 7 and at least six years getting educated with the same teacher are among numerous
advantages of Finnish education system. Else than these, not being special schools for students who
need special education may be a disadvantage; because, special students, who may be highly gifted
or mentally retarded, may not understand the topics completely. I mean, in order to teach effectively
those students, teachers may need totally different methods which is not so possible in public
schools.

In this essay, I tried to make a brief summary about Finnish education system. I explained
you the purpose of national education, pre-school; elementary; secondary; and higher education
structure, advantages and disadvantages of such system.

Note: In some parts of the essay, I took information from:

http://www.oph.fi/download/124278_education_in_finland.pdf