13 Reasons Why Finland Leads the Education System Race – An In-Depth Analysis

Finland is often considered a leader in the race of education systems due to its emphasis on holistic learning, strong focus on equity and highly trained teachers. Around 93% of students in Finland graduate from high school as per Education Corner. The rate of graduating students is higher than that of the US. 

Finnish students can produce high academic results each year because there is no standardised testing and no pressure on ranking systems. This country is considered an academic paradise where students do not start formal education until they turn seven. 

In this article, we shall study in detail the top 13 reasons that make Finland’s education system the best among all other educational systems around the globe. You can get a critical analysis of the reasons in this piece of writing. 

Let’s get started. 

Why Finland Is Considered the Best Education System? 13 Best Reasons

Finns are incredibly proud of their learning system, and no wonder their education is entirely free – starting from preschool to the time of university. This means that up to your doctoral degree, your entire education will be free, and the government will bear all the expenses. Not only this, but several other factors make the Finland Education system the best in the entire world. 

Finnish education is of high quality, and the goal is for everyone to have an equal opportunity to receive the best education. It also makes them ready to tackle several opportunities for improving quality education and growing up to become active citizens. 

Let’s explore these details in further depth. 

• Shorter School Days

According to Foreigners in Finland, the students of first to sixth grade usually have a shirt school day of about 21-25 hours per week. In comparison, the students of the 7 to 9 grades have an average work of 30 hours per week. The final school hours can be decided by the school itself. There are also some of the traditional afternoon clubs on the premises of the school for the 1st to 3rd grades and these are usually organised by the Lutheran church. 

It may be interesting to hear, but for every 45 minutes of studying and learning, students are allowed 15 minutes of play and other activities with each other. School is only considered compulsory for 11 years, so the learners can leave their studies at 18. If they face issues with their academics, they can ask for prompt help from a legitimate assignment writing service provided by professional resources. 

After the age of 18, everything is optional for students. It is considered important because such measures prepare students for the real world. They can also grow their skills and learn the skills which can help them in real life. 

• No Standardised Testing 

Standardised testing students to test their comprehension level for different subjects. Their ability to answer the pre-canned questions is checked and it decides if students have a mastery over the given subject or not. What often happens is that students also learn to just to cram just to pass a test and teachers only teach to enable students to pass their tests. Due to this, the entire element of learning goes out of the equation. 

The Finland education system is considered the best in the world because there is no standardised testing. The only exception to the rule is the National Matriculation Examination which is more like a voluntary test for students at the end of their upper-secondary school education. 

Alternatively, all the children studying in Finland are usually graded by a grading system set by their teachers or on some other individualised basis. This way, as per the World Economic Forum, the Ministry of Education tracks the overall progress of students. They select some sample groups from different ranges of schools and check their understanding of different educational concepts.

• A Safe Journey to School

In Finland, even young children can safely travel back to school alone or with friends. Usually, the school is close to the home of students it can accessed easily through a walk or cycle. If the student is in pre-school and you live more than 5km away from your school, the municipality of your home can arrange the transport to your home. It will also happen if your journey is deemed to be too difficult in the area you live. 

Sometimes, the municipal authorities also offer free rides to younger students covering a distance of 3 kilometres as per This Works. However, the older students usually get a paid allowance when their trip is more than 7 kilometres. Overall, the journey of students towards the school is usually safe and secure. 

• Free School Lunch

Most schools in Finland offer several nutritious lunches to students, but the food itself might be a source of culture shock for foreign students. Their buffet usually consists of salad, potatoes, rice or some other kind of meat, fish or vegetarian meal to choose from. The children are allowed to drink water or skimmed milk. When planning the school meal for a kid, the government considers the allergies, ethics and religious aspects of the child under consideration. 

The entire environment of the school lunch provides students with an opportunity to learn about their growth and well-being. They also learn a lot about their well-being and development, as well as interesting aspects of Finnish food culture. This structured approach to school meals is one of many factors that make Finland’s education system unique. 

As part of their dissertation topic in education, many students explore how Finland’s policies on school nutrition contribute to academic performance and student well-being. Understanding these policies can provide valuable insights into the broader success of the Finnish education model. Students are not served snacks until they have a more extended school day or want to go on a class trip.

• The School Schedule 

Finland is among those countries in the world that use The Gregorian calendar and the world takes it as the most widely used civil calendar. According to Foreigners in Finland, the Finnish National Agency for Education translated the school schedules into English. The programs also include the dates of the working days and holidays of the schools. 

In Finland, school starts in August, and the autumn holidays start in the third week of December. The winter holiday also begins in February, and school ends on the first week of June or the last week of May. In the following schedule, 1.5 is the first day of the fifth month.

Overall, the school schedule in Finland is not as hectic as in other nations. Generally, the students do not have to follow a specific dress code and can join the school without feeling overwhelmed or burdened with the academic chores. This is why, the graduation rate is quite high in the Finland education system. 

• All Schools are Good Schools

In Finland, every school is considered a good school; it’s more like a Finnish principle. Students do not wear uniforms in the schools of Finland and they can dress however the way they like in school. Almost without any kind of exception, the children start their schools at local schools. 

The terms of institution and the holiday times vary slightly between different kinds of municipalities, but everyone has the same number of off days at school per year. Usually, the holiday season lasts for two weeks; furthermore, you will get 2.5 months off in the school over the summer.

When studying at a Finnish school, there will be some days of the holiday season when autumn comes, and there will also be a week-long holiday in the springtime or term. Although the latter is usually known as the ‘ski holiday’, you will not have to ski; essentially, you can enjoy your vacation season however you want. 

• Same Teachers 

The Finnish students have to learn from the same instructor for up to six years of their school career, as Education Corner reported. The students can get all the support based on their personal needs. 

The Finland education system believes that every child has unique and individual needs, so getting special education is important for everyone. The ‘same teacher’ policy is a strong pillar of the harmonious education environment of the students of Finland. 

It also allows the students to grow their relationship with their teachers and fosters deeper respect and trust. The Finnish students can have a high level of faith in their teachers and in their overall education system. 

• The Role of Teachers 

The part played by teachers in Finland education system is considered autonomous. It means that teachers are considered responsible for the learning activities of their group of students. Teachers are responsible for choosing the method they want their students to learn independently. The curriculum of the Finnish government can also establish a strong national foundation based on which different schools can pick their area of focus. 

Therefore, in this country, teachers usually follow these practices: 

1. They often teach in teams and work in collaboration with other teachers. 
2. Via co-teaching, the teachers and students ensure that the learning needs of every student are being met. 
3. The schools follow a standard curriculum in Finland. 
4. Finland has an excellent teacher training programme, and there are usually no school inspectors in this country. 
5. Since there is no inspection of teachers, they do not feel they are competing with anyone. 
6. The teachers are dedicated to providing the students with the best learning experience. 
7. They also cater to the individual learning needs of individual students. 
8. During the training period, the teachers are specialists in the educational tasks. 

Teachers who are given a valued position in society and extensive social responsibility strive to fulfil all their obligations. They try their level best to impart quality education to students at all academic levels.

• ‘Co-operation, Not Competition’

While most countries, including America, see their education institutions as some sort of competition, the Finns have a way of seeing it differently. They believe that the real winners have nothing to do with the competition with each other. Ironically, this attitude has made them go ahead of an international pack. 

The Finland educational system does not care much about arbitrary or artificial merit-based systems online. There are generally no lists or mentions of top-performing teachers or schools and no environment for competition. Instead, they believe in cooperating with each other. 

They all aim to win and improve the educational system for everyone. Hence, there is no sense of toxic competition between the students and the schools. They all want to get equipped with the latest and advanced education and move forward with life. It fosters a creative spirit with them. 

• School Equipment

The school kids in Finland get all their essential equipment from school. Basic educational equipment such as pencils, erasers, sharpeners and more are provided to them from school. However, they have to buy pencil cases and backpacks by themselves. Children who participate in sports activities can also learn to swim, ski, and skate. 

On the other hand, parents encourage their children to learn new activities in school because it is considered a necessary experience for them. It is important for students to go through a basic school period where they can learn all the necessary school activities. 

In short words, the Finland Education System is exceptional because parents do not have to worry about basic and additional school expenses. They can focus on the well-being of their entire family and several other daily life activities. The school itself takes care of all the equipment. 

• Several Learning Environments

The students in Finish educational schools are introduced to a wide range of inspiring and safe learning environments. Apart from the classrooms, they can also learn a lot while walking outdoors and visiting companies or museums. Digital environments are also considered a main element of the learning environments of schools. The Finnish schools, as per This Works, use a broad range of teaching methods, including the following: 

1. Experimenting
2. Academic activities 
3. Researching
4. Exercise 
5. Play 

All of this support the learning of important skills in the students. Students also have a voice in the management and administration of the Finnish schools. It means that students also play an important role in designing working methods and learning environments in their classes. If students indicate the signs that they need help with assignment writing, the professionals can assist them instantly. 

12. Morning and Afternoon Activities

Many municipalities in Finland organise different morning and afternoon activities during the time students have to spend in schools. So, if you or your kid is a first or second grader, they might also have a chance to engage in different activities before and after their time in school.

In many areas, students are encouraged to participate in fun activities between 7 am and 5 pm, usually in the afternoon. These activities make it easier for students to manage their educational workload and strike a balance with their personal lives. They also feel quite fresh to tackle the academic activities. 

Furthermore, students also get a healthy snack time during their fun activities. These activities are usually subject to a monthly fee that is different between different areas of municipalities. Usually, it is kept at around 100 euros. 

13. Pre-School Education

The care for younger children in Finland is done quite a lot. The first few years of their lives are important for their academic growth and learning. This time covers the time from their infancy to the start of basic education. Overall, it promotes a sense of equality among students and ensures that there is no discrimination among students.

The childhood care and education for students is affordable in Finland and the prices for it vary with the area of residency of students. Different municipal authorities facilitate the students from various areas and help the parents fulfil their academic duties.

The days for preschool are short, and the kids are completely taken care of. After preschool, the kids spend the rest of the day in the safe childhood care areas. There may be a small fee for such activities. However, you may rest assured that your child will be enjoying their stay at the school, and there will be many learning opportunities for them. 

What Grade Is a 17-Year-Old in Finland?

Generally, a 17-year-old will typically be in grade 12 in Finland. According to the Finnish education system, this is considered the upper secondary level of education. Most students acquire the upper secondary education around the age of 16. This kind of education provides students with extensive general knowledge and checks their readiness for further studies. They are also encouraged to learn different helpful skills in that time period. 

Usually, their studies last for three years as per Opetushallitus and at their completion, students go to take the Finnish national matriculation examination. This education equips students with the required knowledge to continue their degree at the university of their choice. 

How Long Is a School Day in Finland?

As per Teach Starter, students have to spend only around five hours a day at school in the classroom. Usually, they have little to no homework to do on the school days. The school day usually starts from 9 to 9:45 am; after that, students spend some hours there. Compared to American schools, students in Finland spend less time in school buildings. Quite a lot of the tuition fees are covered by the government. 

The breaks in the Finnish schools are longer so the students can rest well and socialise. Also, the schools adjust the pace of study to the needs of students. The school starts later in the morning as compared to other countries. 

All of it motivates students to dedicate more time to their studies and balance their personal lives equally. When they sit down to study, they feel not burdened but relaxed. 

Conclusion

Now we have discussed the top 13 reasons behind the popularity of the Finland education system worldwide. Finland has outperformed the educational landscape of America and other countries, and the quality of education it provides to students is exemplary. 

However, even with an educational system as good as this, students may still struggle with academics. When they cannot cater to the challenges of education by themselves, they can ask professional assignment writing services online for assistance. 

If you are considering moving to Finland for quality education, it is a decision that’s totally worth it. This country is rich in educational reform and intellectual policies and it has initiated several student-friendly educational policies over the years that have entirely revolutionised the education system of the country. 

Author Bio

Jonathan Birch is a dedicated assignment writer with nine years of experience living in the heart of Finland. With a keen eye for the latest educational policies, he’s dedicated to helping students navigate their academic challenges. When he’s not helping the students, Jonathan loves exploring Finland’s beautiful landscapes. It is his favourite activity to dive into the worlds of Tolstoy and read thrilling detective novels in his leisure. His passion for tourism and literature keeps his life rich and inspiring.