Education in Finland

Transcription

1 Education in Finland

2 Historical Development of Finnish Society Poor agricultural country, large geographical area Independence 1917 Heavy losses in war Fast growth, investment on education, creation of welfare state structures - Good education FOR ALL - High employment rate - Broad-based taxation - Public services Population: year 2012: 5,421,827 density: 16/km 2 Area: total 338,424 km 2 water 10 % GDP (nominal) 2011 estimate: total $254 billion per capita $

3 Finland is one of the innovation leaders Human resources in rankings INSEAD Global Innova/on Index 2013 Human Capital and Research World Economic Forum Higher Educa/on and Training WEF and INSEAD The Networked Readiness Index 2013 Innova/on Union Scoreboard 2013 Human Resources Global Crea/vity Index 2011 Overall rankings 1. Finland 1. Finland 1. Finland 1. Sweden 1. Sweden 2. Rep. of Korea 2. Singapore 2. Singapore 2. Finland 2. United States 3. Singapore 3. Switzerland 3. Sweden 3. Ireland 3. Finland 4. Sweden 4. Belgium 4. Netherlands 4. United Kingdom 4. Denmark 5. Iceland 5. Germany 5. Norway 5. Slovakia 5. Australia 6. United States 6. Netherlands 6. Switzerland 6. Slovenia 6. New Zealand 7. Denmark 7. Sweden 7. United Kingdom 7. France 7. Canada 8. Israel 8. United States 8. Denmark 8. Netherlands 8. Norway 9. Ireland 9. Taiwan, China 9. United States 9. Lithuania 9. Singapore 10. Austria 10. New Zealand 10. Taiwan, China 10. Belgium 10. Netherlands 3

4 Education above all Finnish people place great value on education. Equal opportunities, professional teachers and a student-centred approach lie at the heart of learning. Research shows that three quarters of the Finnish population believe that the Finnish comprehensive school system is one of the most noteworthy factors in Finnish history and creates a foundation for wellbeing.

5 Cornerstones in Finnish education Political decisions in 1960s and 1970s good education for all Faith and trust in the importance of education Universal and free education with free school meals Equal opportunities to all pupils whatever their place of residence, gender, family background or financial standing No dead ends in the system

6 Focus on learning, not steering The evaluation of the learning outcomes of schools and students is encouraging and supportive by nature. Information that helps both schools and students develop. No national testing of learning outcomes, school ranking lists or inspection systems. Strong role of municipalities and schools Competent teachers with master s degree and autonomy in their work Cornerstones in Finnish education

7 Flexible system The education system gives each student great flexibility. Binding decisions are not expected to be made at an early stage. The road all the way to tertiary education is untracked, with none of the paths leading to a dead end. 7

8 50 % to general upper secondary schools 45 % to vocational education and training 60 % to universities and polytecnics 60% 50% 45% Kupiainen, Hautamäki & Karjalainen (2009): The Finnish Education system and PISA 8

9 Kupiainen, Hautamäki & Karjalainen (2009): The Finnish Education system and PISA.

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11 Student performance in Finnish primary and lower secondary schools is one of the best in the world. Finnish students proficiency in reading, mathematics and science in the international PISA assessments has been ranked among the best from year to year.

12 Efficient and effective Students spend much less time in the classroom than in other countries The average class size is 20 students. Good learning outcomes are achieved at just average expense.

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14 Competent teachers On all school levels, teachers are highly qualified and committed. They require Master s degrees, and teacher education includes teaching practice. Teaching profession is very popular in Finland, and universities can select the most motivated and talented applicants. Teachers work independently and have strong autonomy towards their work. 14

15 The attraction of vocational education and training has been steadily growing; at present some 45 per cent of 9 th grade students (certificate received) continue immediately in vocational education and training.

16 Basic skills of Finnish adults one of the best in the OECD countries The good average scores of Finland are largely thanks to the good skills of 20 to 39-year-olds. The Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC 2012) OECD

17 The Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC 2012) Ability to solve problems in technology-rich environments Altogether 41% of all Finns have either good or excellent ability to solve problems in technology-rich environments. This is well over the OECD average (34%). The only country to exceed Finland in this area is Sweden. Japan was 10 th Korea 16 th PIAAC

18 Higher education system The Finnish higher education system comprises of 14 universities and 24 polytechnics. Both sectors educate, based on research, at bachelor and at master degree level. Only universities confer doctoral degrees. The focus of universities is in scientific research, whereas polytechnics are more engaged in research and development and leveraging close ties to job sectors. Despite their autonomy and legal entity, 66 % of universities and 85 % of polytechnics funding is directed from the state budget.

19 Two parallel sectors University sector 14 research universities Student enrollment , ( FTE), of which doctoral students All institutions funded by the state Polytechnic sector [universities of applied sciences] (est. in the mid-1990s) 24 institutions Student enrollment , ( FTE) Institutions partly funded by the state, partly by municipalities Regional development tasks Bachelor degrees (vocational and professional degrees) (Professional) Master s degrees in selected fields

20 Higher education institution network Population of 5,4 million Higher education institution network covers the populated parts of the country 14 universities (four in the great Helsinki area) 24 polytechnics Student enrollment altogether ca University (blue) Polytechnic (green) Research institute (red)

21 Challenges now Economically hard times, growing social disparities Youth unemployment Growing impact of socio-economic background Ageing society; growing welfare expenditure Regional development (rural vs urban) Migration and multiculturalism Gender disparities Pupil welfare and safe school environment Group size in basic education Digital learning and new technologies