The elite of education

What is Finland known for? It is known for Nokia, Angry Birds and a great school system. Our great success in PISA-tests has made many interested about this small, northern country. Our school system is so famous that many educators from many countries have visited Finland, intending to find out our secret. People have also written many articles about education in Finnish schools. In these articles they have listed the reasons for our success and tried to think, how they could use these things in their own school systems. As a Finnish student I have been privileged to take a close look at our praised school system and I can say that all this praising has been well-earned.

I think that teachers’ high education has been the base for our success. All the teachers in Finland have to accomplish master’s degree before they can work as a teacher. This ensures that students get the best teaching they can have. Teachers can also decide what the best way to teach their students is. This gives them free hands to do what they best can and really get to know their students. This is how they have earned their high status. One article said that teachers’ status is comparable to doctors and lawyers. That is true in my case. I have always respected teachers and thought that maybe one day I would become a teacher too.

Another important thing in a working school system is society’s support. Like it said in this article the entire society supports, nourishes and develops its youth. There is a lot of evidence of this. Education is free to everyone. Everything from school meals to transporting is available for everyone. This is possible thanks to our strong social welfare system which supports the idea of equality and education as a human right. I think this is the reason why it’s difficult for other countries to copy our education system. This article explained that quite well.

The most important thing in a working school system is students and their motivation. Even the best education system doesn’t work if students aren’t motivated. In this respect it’s important to make learning and learning environments more interesting, like using different teaching methods and putting colorful paint on the walls. Competition is a generally used way to motivate but this only gives students more stress. School should be a place where you learn equality and not the place where students have to compete against each other.

A working education system is a sum of many factors. It needs highly educated teachers, society’s support and motivated students. Here in Finland these factors have worked successfully. One reason for this might be that Finland has always had a culture of hard work and knowledge. This is a useful quality in international comparison.