Life in Finland: Education

It saddens my heart, to see infants in School Uniform, sweating. In this divide of the sphere, everything is messed up, even education. Babies not only spend over eight hours of the day in the classroom, they spend the few remaining hours on homework. How would I tell a Nigerian parent, her 2yrs old is too young to go to school? Who would listen, if I told a Mother her child needs more play than books at that age? Which Nigerian understands, that even at age five, a child needs more play (creative), more talks, less maths, less English, less reading, and less writing? Why do we send our kids to school so early? Why bore them with calculus?

There is life in Europe, more beautiful and productive. There's a place, far away, where children really enjoy their early years. Finland is the happiest Country in the world. In this small country, quality of life comes first. Students do not start school before age seven. School days are also shorter. Most elementary students only attend school for four to five hours per day. High school students, similar to college students, only attend the classes that are required of them. So while one student might have an 8:00 a.m. Swedish class, another might not start school until 10:00 a.m.

At Franzenia, as in all Finnish daycare centres, the emphasis is not on maths, reading or writing (children receive no formal instruction in these until they are seven and in primary school) but creative play. There's nothing like formal examinations (until the age of 18) and streaming by ability. Competition, choice, privatisation, debates, quiz and league tables do not exist. Periodic test is an alien concept. Finns believe in quality-not-quantity approach, which means school hours are shorter and homework duties are light. After-school tutoring is rare. While children in England, Wales and Nigeria are still toiling away in school into the middle of July, the Finns have already been on holiday for six weeks, in a summer break that lasts 10 to 11 weeks.

Every 45 minutes, students have the legal right to 15 minutes of free time. Despite all these bliss, Finnish Students are one of the most brilliant in the world. Not even UK students can stand them. When it comes to the international Pisa tests, Finland is in sixth place and the UK is 23rd in reading; and Finland is 12th and the UK is 26th in maths. Who knows where Nigeria would fall? There's a secret behind Finland's success. There is something so different about their system. As one Finnish principal explained: “When a student struggles, the question is not what’s wrong with the student or what’s wrong with the teacher. The question is, what’s wrong with the system"

The Finnish system recognizes that happy teachers are good teachers, and overworked teachers will not be at the top of their game. Teachers prep from home and only teach to students about 20 hours per week. In Finland, Teaching profession commands a great deal of respect, with applicants needing a master’s degree to teach. The Finnish government trusts their municipalities, the municipalities trust school administrators, administrators trust teachers, teachers trust students, and in return, parents and families trust teachers.

Teachers are trusted professionals. Part of the reason why teachers are so trusted in Finland is that becoming a teacher is an extremely rigorous and prestigious process. Only the best of the best are accepted into Education school. In addition to having high test scores, candidates must pass an interview investigating their integrity, passion, and pedagogy. Universities are committed to finding candidates that are the right fit for the teaching profession. Their programs are researched based, and teachers finish with master’s degrees, including a published thesis. Teachers are well paid, well-trained (they must complete a five-year specialist degree), respected by parents and valued and trusted by politicians.

There's another secret of Finnish System as revealed. The focus in education is on learning rather than testing. There are no national tests for pupils in basic education in Finland. Schools believe more test preparation means less time for free thinking and inquiry. Accountability is measured at the classroom level by the experts—teachers.There are no tuition fees at any level of education for Finnish students, with necessities such as books, transport and meals provided for free. And as there are no uniforms, Finnish parents are not forced to shell out on costly branded clothing for their children, an annual expense for their British and Nigerian counterparts. During their educational journey, all pupils receive free resources and materials, transport and support services. One of the most precious secret of the Finnish system is its emphasis on less work, more play. Finns believe that students’ capacity for engagement and learning is most successful when they have a chance to unwind and refocus. In turn, students work productively during class time, with the understanding that their needs to play, talk, or even read quietly will be met shortly. No one keeps students in class forever. No one engages them in mundane afternoon lessons. No one bores them with humdrum holiday coaching.

An additional secret of Finnish System is its no child is left behind approach, which means that all classes contain a mixture of ability level pupils, with most classes containing two or more teachers who focus on those needing additional support. By having professionals working in conjunction, the needs of the pupils can be better met within a happy and familiar environment. Many teachers also stay with a single class for many years, moving with them through the school. This is Contrary to what obtains here in Nigeria, where a not-too-brilliant student is sidelined and psychologically abused by Teachers and Parents alike.

In this Country, I insist, we need more matured parents, less - sleeping Senators and reps. Less-obsolete lawmakers. We need more up-to-the-minute Governors, more living commissioners and a new fashioned President to save us the pains of our behind-the-times, croaky-cracky Systems.

(I cofess to haven extensively consulted and copied theguardian.com, independent.co.uk, impatientoptimists.org and bbc.co.uk for the information compiled here)

Ayeni Faith Damilola is a writer, public speaker and eulogist.
faithdamilolaayeni@yahoo.com

Very interesting
Which our edu can be like this

WOW lalasticlala seun this belongs to the front page. nigeria copy copy,pls copy the right things and leave the wrong ones.

When i first met my girl, she was a student under the IB program and she'd always whine and rue their educational system and i'll always say to myself "you Finns are really so spoilt" when i opened up about life as a Nigerian student her reaction was like

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