Finland always stands out in international assessments such as PISA. What do you consider to be the keys to success? What aspects need improving?Equal free basic education for everybody regardless of the pupils' background, no big differences between the schools, highly appreciated teacher profession, academic teacher education, trust in the schools instead of inspections.
One of the premises of the Finnish system is that the student is the centre of the educational process. How are needs of each student analyzed?
The pupils are from the very beginning encouraged to reflect on their own learning processes and their strengths and challenges at schools. Teachers, subject teachers, parents and the pupil are having regular communication and developmental discussions about learning. All pupils are tested about for example dyslex problems.
How do you achieve the balance between the individuality of students and teaching the compulsory education curriculum?
There are aims for basic skills and knowledge set and on top of that the pupils are encouraged to set their own goals in different subjects during the school year. As methods in lessons teachers are using individual, peer and group work to enable different levels and ways of learning.
How is academic and vocational guidance dealt with in Finnish schools? Is there a model for lifelong accompanying for students beyond school?
There are in the curriculum lessons given by student counselors for all grades in the secondary schools. Beside that student counselors are giving individual guidance according to the needs of pupils.
Teacher training is very important in the Finnish education system. What are the main challenges you have faced at the Viikki Teacher Training School?
Time. Our teachers are both teachers and teacher trainers and due to that role they are also involved in other tasks also outside the school as experts for curriculum development, producing teaching materials etc. But our teachers think that their work is important and very giving so they are creative and flexible with that. Guiding student teachers is keeping teachers reflective and on top of development.
How are students admitted to teacher training?
Primary teacher training: There is first a written test and to the best of these applicants an interviews including a mini teaching situation. Beside that the marks from the student exam is playing a role.
Subject teacher training: the students are already selected about their academic skills so entering the subject teacher training goes through an interview merely.
How is it determined that a university student has the skills necessary for teaching?
Academic skills are tested when entering the university and by demanding good marks in the matriculation examination. Social skills and motivation are measured in the interview.
The drive of educational research is another strong point of teacher training. What are the advantages of having teachers with research capacity?
Academics are having ability to reflect to ask themselves WHY when getting a pedagogical problem or challenges with pupils and to also develop their own teaching based on theories.
Finally, is there a system for evaluating the work of teachers? How do you work with teachers who do not meet expectations?
There is generally no systematic system for inspecting or evaluating the work of teachers. It is all about trusting appreciated academics in their work. Some education providers however might have some light bonus systems for especially successful hard working teachers. If there should be any troubles with the quality of teaching the principal could first have a supportive system discussion with the teacher and maybe observe his or her classes.
