Finland

1) Highly integrated Comprehensive School 2) Non-graded system for Upper Secondary 3) Interflow between Upper Sec and Voc Schools THE EDUCATION SYSTEM OF FINLAND UNIVERSITIES SCHOOL YEARS AGE PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION CompulsoryCompulsory educationeducation BASIC EDUCATION WORK EXPERIENCE WORK EXPERIENCE SPECIALIST VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FURTHER VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS POLYTECHNICS VOCATIONAL UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION and TRAINING GENERAL UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION 1) 2) 3) Free Tuition – from pre-school to PhD Free Meal Free Transportation

History: Dual education system from 1863 to 1970 Uno Cygneus, Father of the Finnish comprehensive school, proposed a plan and curriculum for the new folk school in 1861 when Finland was still part of Russian empire; Compulsory general education (7 yrs) was legislated in 1921 (after the Finnish independence in 1917); First curriculum in 1925, second curriculum reform in , third major curriculum reform in Present: Comprehensive school since 1970 ’Peruskoulu’ in Finnish) Grades 1–9 compulsory to all Secondary level education available for the whole age cohort High school (2-4 yrs program) Vocational programs (3 yrs) Voluntary preschool year for the 6 year olds in the late 1990s

Basic Principles of Finnish Education Mandatory for all children between 7 and 16 yrs old (since 1921) Equality of access Free of charge (from pre-school to university) School-based curriculum National curriculum framework Municipal & school curricula developed locally Prepares for lifelong learning Teacher autonomy in instruction Voluntary preschool education offered to all 6 year old children (95% attend)

Compulsory Basic Education Grades 1 through 9 Lower school: grades 1 to 6 Upper school: grades 7 to 9 History of the comprehensive school dates back to 1861 when Uno Cygneus, ”Father of the Finnish comprehensive school”, proposed a plan and curriculum for the new Folk School

Development of Finnish Teacher Education Primary teacher education since 1863 to 1971 Primary teacher education began in 1863 in the Jyväskylä seminar (currently University of Jyväskylä) Seminars were merged to universities in 1971 Secondary teachers were educated in the universities and the Normal schools since mid 1800 to Teacher education to universities in 1974 when Faculties of Education were established and Normal schools became part of universities.

Teaching as a career in Finland Teaching has been a popular career choice among students Education has been regarded as the best way for social movement, well-being and good life as a citizen Primary school teacher education is one of the most popular degree programs in the universities About 5-10% of the applicants have been admitted to MA programs in primary school teaching.

Popularity of secondary school, subject teacher programs differs from subject to subject E.g. Math and science programs are less popular than history or Finnish language programs Teachers are averagely paid in Finland.

Schools at Present About 3300 schools of which 215 have grades 1 to 9; General comprehensive school (Peruskoulu) has 14 subjects in grades 1 to 6 and a few more in grades 7 to 9; Religion is a mandatory subject; Newest subject is health education; First foreign language at the 3rd grade (English and German most popular); Handicraft has been a school subject since 1860s.

Curriculum system is based on the national core curriculum and the school-based curricula at the local level - textbooks important; Next curriculum reform in 2016; National Parliament legislates the lesson hour division for different subjects – National Board of Education administers curriculum development; About 60,000 students graduate from Peruskoulu annually.

Secondary Education Upper secondary school - ’lukio’ (high school, gymnasium) Prom - 2nd year students' celebration after 3rd yr students have left the school 2-4 year program leading to Matriculation Examination ’Oppikoulu’ (’learning school’) was the name for the school until 1970 when lower grades of ’oppikoulu’ were merged to comprehensive schools and 3 upper grades became independent ’lukios.

’Oppikoulu’ originated from very old trivial schools (church) - first in Turku and Vyborg (1617); First lukios for boys were established in 1872; Lukio is typically a three year program and consists of 75 courses (minimum).

Individual curriculum for all students - non-graded program, everyone studies according to his/her own study plan; mandatory courses (47-52); advanced courses (min 10); same subject courses (max 15); applied courses (max 20). Non-graded system since mid 1990s ; This system seems to benefit independent, responsible students who have good study skills; Study counsellors available in every school, they also follow the progress of students (1 counsellor for every 250 students).

Finnish ’lukios’ are typically small, having students, only a few schools having over 1000 students upper secondary general schools (lukios) in the country, about students total (2015). About 50-55% of the student population goes to lukio from peruskoulu. Entrance restricted (grade marks based admission criteria). Free for students, except books and materials.

Matriculation Exam (ME) National exam organized by the independent ME council. 4 mandatory subjects for a student: mother tongue and 3 others chosen by the student (Second official language, foreign languages, mathematics, history, social sciences, chemistry, physics, psychology, biology, geography, philosophy). Students receive two reports at the end of 12th year: ME and lukio.

Vocational Education Government has guaranteed access to further vocational or general education for all comprehensive school graduates. Around 45% of students choose vocational education. Programs are 3 yrs long (120 ECTS credit points).

Education free of charge, including lunch and transportation from home; books and materials not free. 20 credits general studies (same as in lukio), 80 credits vocational and 20 practical at the work place; Over 200 different vocational programs offered; Around 7000 students combine their vocational ja ’lukio’ studies and make both vocational degree and ME in a four year program.

PISA Results In Finland PISA = Program for International Student Assesment by OECD. Overall Finland has been among the three best countries in reading, mathematics and science. results in 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2009 PISA studies. Focus on minimizing learning difficulties (half of graduating students have engaged in special education). Teachers Schools Homes National mentality

They Know That… “the quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers” and that “the only way to improve outcomes is to improve instruction” (Barber and Mourshed, 2007); Schools therefore have a duty to provide their pupils with an education that will enable them to adapt to an increasingly globalised, competitive, diversified and complex environment, in which creativity, the ability to innovate, a sense of initiative, entrepreneurship and a commitment to continue learning are just as important as the specific knowledge of a given subject.” (2008/C 319/08 of ).

Some Explanations for Success in PISA High quality of applicants into teacher education Only percent of appilcants are accepted into primary teacher education programs. Two stage selection process: school report and interview into primary TE. Acceptance into secondary teacher education programs based on subject knowledge. Research based teacher education programs 5 years of studies minimum (MA or MSc degree). Every student involved in research (MA Thesis). Portfolio is the main method in evaluation; enhances individual reflection of student’s own strengths and weaknesses as a teacher. Professional mentoring in practice schools for teacher students Universities have own practice schools (Normal schools).

Educational culture in the schools Trust to teachers’ work (no inspectors). No regular national testing (teachers design and administer their own exams). Teachers involved in planning school-based curricula (based on national curriculum framework). Teacher autonomy and responsibility is emphasized in the school system Teachers focus more on educating students than maximizing their test performance.

Current Issues in Finnish Education Continuation of students school path from preschool to 9th grade; Learning difficulties and inclusive education; Growing multicultural student population; Social problems in the schools; Inservice teacher education; School leadership and management in transition.

Higher Education Finland has a dual higher education system 14 universities (2015) 26 polytechnics (2015) It is possible to apply to higher education after a Matriculation exam or vocational degree.

Ministry of Education policy: 50% of 30-34yr olds have higher education degree by The Universities Act requires that universities promote free research, offer scientific and artistic education based on research and educate students to serve their country and humanity. In carrying out this mission, universities must interact with society and strengthen the impact of research on society.

11 multidisciplinary universities, 1 schools of economics and business administration, 2 universities of technology and 2 art academies. New university legislation in All universities are public, autonomous institutions governed by themselves and funded mostly by support from the state budget (outsiders in the governing boards). 2 universities are owned by a university foundation.

Universities are autonomous and independent of state (also financially). Freedom of research and education. Degrees are based on Bologna treaty ( ECTS) (since 2008). Students are accepted to study Master’s degree but have to take Bachelor before making the Master’s (MA, MSc). Entrance to universities very restricted: typically 15-20% of the applicants are accepted at the Univ of Tampere; 30-40% to universities of technology. Most popular programs are primary school teacher education, psychology, mass media, social sciences. Open university system offers university level basic studies to everyone interested.

Polytechnics or Universities of Applied Sciences (ammattikorkeakoulu) Professional higher education degrees offered in the areas labour market requires highly educated professionals. Polytechnics are municipal or private institutions, authorized and supported by the Ministry of Education. Are autonomous in their internal affairs.

Degrees offered are: Polytechnic Bachelor degree (different names like insinööri, tradenomi, etc); Polytechnic Master’s degree (not permanent yet); Further education and specialization studies; Open polytechnic education.

Adult Education Both general and vocational adult education aimed to promote the idea of lifelong learning. General adult education institutes supported by the state and municipalities (e.g. community colleges) Courses do not lead to degrees. Vocational adult education institutes offer same degrees as institutes for young students Curricula fitted for adult purposes. Shorter programs – previous skills tested in working context exams.

Thank you! Project management team RO01-KA Calarasi, February