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 10,768 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	Bank of Ireland will not be able to pay salaries until tomorrow morning 65,569 163

2	Here’s how much you’ll be expected to pay for water 40,843 261

3	Man seriously injured after being ‘pushed into bus’ at Aston Quay 31,173 79

1	Argentina burns bondholders for the second time in 13 years 15,365 102

2	How do you get shoppers to return to your store? Inspire them 10,521 27

3	The Central Bank sent €10 million to Berehaven Credit Union depositors last night 8,208 7

1	What is CrossFit and is it worth the money? 34,931 93

2	Keen sportsman Alan Feeley to be remembered at UL event this weekend 16,521 7

3	‘Arry’s transfer window: Vidal’s treadmill run gets rumour mill whirring 11,099 10

1	Lucky escape after axe smashes through car window on dual carriageway 32,979 18

2	12 things men will never understand about wearing high heels 28,237 51

3	The PSNI is handing out free flip flops to women walking home in high heels 19,480 26

Trending Tags

ANGLO

‘Enjoy your community service’: Judge gives former Anglo execs maximum 240 hours

The 9 at 9: Thursday

Quinn: “Anglo are using our money to make us the most hated family in Ireland”

ANTHONY LYONS

‘We hope courageous Anthony Lyons victim feels she has got justice’

Anthony Lyons to spend 18 months in prison

Poolbeg chimneys, Game of Thrones, and spicy burgers: The week in numbers

GAZA

“We must take action”… Senators call for Ireland to strengthen stance on Gaza

This Sinn Féin councillor said the UN should shell Israel, to bring Netanyahu “to heel”

Book of condolence for Gaza victims to be opened tomorrow in Dublin

ISRAEL

Opinion: Neither nation can survive without freedom and independence for the Palestinians

Israel to investigate shelling of UN school

Medical workers in scrubs to protest at ‘die-in’ Gaza protest in Dublin

PALESTINE

Have you seen the mural about the Gaza conflict painted on the Falls Road?

UNRWA spokesperson breaks down during TV interview on Palestinians’ rights

Strike on Gaza market during ‘partial ceasefire’ kills 17

BELFAST

Woman charged over attempt to identify people under PSNI witness protection

The 5 at 5: Wednesday

‘Orchestrated racism’ in Belfast condemned

∞

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