Educational success?

I have been following the conversation about Finnish educational system for quite some time now. Finland scores high in the Pisa research every year, and has become famous for it. We now have educational tourism in Finland, meaning that delegations from different countries come to learn about our system.

Finnish educational system has been praised all over the world and our education minister has travelled for example to the United States to give advice on how to improve education. 

When asked which are the most important ingredients for success, Henna Virkkunen, minister of education, answered following:

1. All teachers have to finish Master's degree

2. All teachers are trusted and supported by strong unions, government and parents

3. Teachers are paid well and their well-being is cared for

4. All pupils get attention according to their needs: some are faster or more gifted than others, but no one is left behind

5. Not to measure success by competition with winners and losers, but with trust, teamwork and building good self esteem.

Having been raised and educated in Finland I find all these reasons basic standard for schooling rather than an exceptional way of educating. For me it was a huge shock to find out some countries actually don't value or trust their teachers. It seems absolutely stupid: the youth are the future, and their education should be a priority. Teachers are the most important ingredient to successful education. They should be supported, trusted and paid well. They should also be well educated themselves.

In the States it's actually very common for elementary school teacher to quit their job after five years or so. Only rarely do they stay until retirement. This is due to stress, low salary and not getting enough support by government, union or parents.

In Finland kids start school when they are seven years old and they attend the least amount of lessons and do least amount of homework in Western world; yet the results are outstanding.

We believe that hobbies, spending time with friends and having fun actually improve learning: you are not supposed to be studying around the clock. Also healthy food is important and schools in Finland serve healthy, homemade food for children instead of fast food (hamburgers and soda would never be served!).

I do not believe that my home country is superior to others nor do I believe our educational system is perfect or best in the world. But I am proud to having been educated in Finland: I know it will take me a long way. 

"Education is not the answer to the question. Education is the means to the answer to all questions."

-William Allin