Friday 16 Dec, 2011
http://jrnl.ie/305352

16 surprising facts about Finland’s unorthodox education system

Here’s what makes Finland’s system so different from other western states.

Dec 16 8:00 AM 10,593 Views 39 Comments

SINCE IT implemented huge education reforms 40 years ago, Finland’s school system has consistently come at the top of international rankings for education systems.

So how do they do it?

It’s simple — by going against the evaluation-driven, centralised model that much of the Western world uses.

16 surprising facts about Finland’s unorthodox education system

Previous 1 / 16Next

1. Finnish children don't start school until they are 7.
(Image: mckaysavage on Flickr via Creative Commons)
2. They rarely take exams or do homework until they are well into their teens. The children are not measured at all for the first six years of their education.
(Image: spiritinme on Flickr via Creative Commons)
3. There is only one mandatory standardised test in Finland, taken when children are 16.
(Image: comedy_nose on Flickr via Creative Commons)
4. Finland spends around 30 per cent less per student than the US. All children, regardless of ability, are taught in the same classrooms.
(Image: martinhoward on Flickr via Creative Commons)
5. Thirty per cent of children receive extra help during their first nine years of school.
(Image: Sh4rp_i on Flickr via Creative Commons)
6. Sixty-six per cent of students go to college.
(Image: James Sarmiento (old account) on Flickr via Creative Commons)
7. The difference between the weakest and strongest students in the smallest in the world.
(Image: MinimalistPhotography101.com on Flickr via Creative Commons)
8. Ninety-three per cent of Finns graduate from high school.
(Image: j.o.h.n. walker on Flickr via Creative Commons)
9. Forty-three per cent of Finnish second-level students go to vocational schools.
(Image: Iago Laz on Flickr via Creative Commons)
10. Teachers only spend four hours a day in the classroom, and take two hours a week for "professional development".
(Image: Laineys Repertoire/Creative Commons)
11. The school system is 100% state funded.
(Image: Harry Brignull on Flickr via Creative Commons)
12. The national curriculum is only a broad guideline.
(Image: n0rthw1nd on Flickr via Creative Commons)
13. All teachers in Finland must have a masters degree, which is fully subsidised.
(Image: Apuch on Flickr via Creative Commons)
14. Teachers are selected from the top 10 per cent of graduates and their average starting salary in 2008 was ,235. Last year, 6,600 applicants vied for 660 primary school training positions.
(Image: nate steiner/Creative Commons)
15. High school teachers with 15 years of experience earn 102 per cent more than other college graduates.
(Image: mrstg on Flickr via Creative Commons)
16. In an international standardised measurement in 2001, Finnish children came top or very close to the top for science, reading and maths.
(Image: Dvortygirl on Flickr via Creative Commons)

Comments (39 Comments)

Ordered By: Popularity

Popularity Date

Add New Comment

Log in to comment:

Share This Comment on Facebook or Twitter

Most Popular Today

1	No it’s not a photo, it’s a 16-year-old’s winning entry to an art competition 54,792 76

2	Sean FitzPatrick thanks jury as he is found not guilty at Anglo trial 44,584 0

3	VIDEO: Shocking CCTV footage of rush-hour ambulance crash in Dublin city centre 39,294 129

1	Google chooses TheJournal.ie app for global trial 25,236 40

2	Sandberg: ‘If you want to do something nice for your wife, don’t buy flowers, do the laundry’ 10,851 42

3	Setanta Insurance wind up leaves policyholders ‘stranded without cover’ 8,594 27

1	Great news Liverpool fans, Man City were held to a draw by Sunderland tonight 28,056 71

2	IRFU: ‘Absolutely no point’ in forcing Henshaw to switch provinces 15,129 45

3	VINE: Gareth Bale produces stunning run from own half to give Madrid win over Barca 14,939 22

1	9 persuasive arguments why every man should have a beard 27,747 43

2	Man charged with assault after licking police officer’s eyeball 22,745 18

3	10 frustrating things that ONLY happen when you’re in a hurry 14,733 52

Trending Tags

ANGLO TRIAL

Someone’s made a Happy video featuring Sean FitzPatrick

Ireland sees first bankers convicted of giving illegal loans

Anglo jury continue deliberations on charges against Willie McAteer and Pat Whelan today

GARDAí

Cannabis plants seized at Wicklow house

Gardaí seize drugs, stolen cars and a gun in south Dublin

Two due in court after threatening staff at filling station with knives

LABOUR

Fine Gael and Labour are ‘austerity junkies’ failing to attract investment – Pearse Doherty

Tánaiste: If there’s one thing I can’t be accused of, it’s making decisions that court popularity

The one thing you need to remember about the water row? There’s an election in 36 days

ANGLO IRISH BANK

Here’s What Happened Today: Wednesday

Sean FitzPatrick thanks jury as he is found not guilty at Anglo trial

The 5 at 5: Wednesday

IRELAND

‘Winning World Cups is achievable’ – Nucifora says Ireland cannot limit ambition

Ireland likely to be less than 1% over end of year milk quota

“Ambitious” and “powerful” new children’s policy welcomed

FINE GAEL

Labour admits: We have ‘substantive differences’ with Fine Gael over water charges

Taoiseach confirms water bills will be around €240, but nothing signed off on yet

Updated: Terminal cancer patient has arrangement in place with AIB over mortgage arrears

∞

About Us

Corrections

Report Content

Policies

TheJournal.ie is a full participating member of the Press Council of Ireland and supports the Office of the Press Ombudsman. This scheme in addition to defending the freedom of the press, offers readers a quick, fair and free method of dealing with complaints that they may have in relation to articles that appear on our pages. To contact the Office of the Press Ombudsman Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or go to www.pressombudsman.ie or www.presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

News images provided by Press Association and Photocall Ireland unless otherwise stated. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography unless otherwise stated. Wire service provided by Associated Press.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Switch to Mobile Site

Tags

Tags

16 surprising facts about Finland’s unorthodox education system

Here’s what makes Finland’s system so different from other western states.

1. Finnish children don't start school until they are 7.

2. They rarely take exams or do homework until they are well into their teens. The children are not measured at all for the first six years of their education.

3. There is only one mandatory standardised test in Finland, taken when children are 16.

4. Finland spends around 30 per cent less per student than the US. All children, regardless of ability, are taught in the same classrooms.

5. Thirty per cent of children receive extra help during their first nine years of school.

6. Sixty-six per cent of students go to college.

7. The difference between the weakest and strongest students in the smallest in the world.

8. Ninety-three per cent of Finns graduate from high school.

9. Forty-three per cent of Finnish second-level students go to vocational schools.

10. Teachers only spend four hours a day in the classroom, and take two hours a week for "professional development".

11. The school system is 100% state funded.

12. The national curriculum is only a broad guideline.

13. All teachers in Finland must have a masters degree, which is fully subsidised.

14. Teachers are selected from the top 10 per cent of graduates and their average starting salary in 2008 was ,235. Last year, 6,600 applicants vied for 660 primary school training positions.

15. High school teachers with 15 years of experience earn 102 per cent more than other college graduates.

16. In an international standardised measurement in 2001, Finnish children came top or very close to the top for science, reading and maths.

Published with permission from:

Contribute to this story:

Read next:

Embed this post

Email “16 surprising facts about Finland’s unorthodox education system”.

Feedback on “16 surprising facts about Finland’s unorthodox education system”.

Report a Comment

Comments (39 Comments)

Add New Comment

Read Next:

Most Popular

Most Commented

Download our app

Trending Opinions

Most Popular Today

Trending Tags

About Us

Follow Us

Corrections

Policies

Blow the whistle or share a story

Please log in to comment

Please log in with facebook to Share

Please log in

RSS feeds available here:

Report an error, omission or problem:

Create Email Alert

TheJournal.ie Facebook Edition