Original Finnish education!

Once upon a time, there was a country in northern Europe named Finland. It was once part of Sweden, then became part of the Russian Empire, and gained independence early in the last century. Ravaged by civil and world wars, Finland was one of the poorest nations in Europe. Until the 1950s, it primarily relied on agriculture while other European countries were reaching space and developing nuclear technology.

In the early 1960s, all political forces in Finland agreed that the country's progress and prosperity would begin with education. They leaned on their neighbor, Sweden, and asked to learn how they taught their children, as Sweden had previously learned from Germany. The Swedes welcomed them warmly, shared tea, and taught them the foundations of proper education from start to finish.

Finland adopted the Swedish system and developed it until they had one of the best educational systems in the world. How has this benefitted them, you might ask?

According to the 2015 statistics from the Global Peace Fund, Finland is now considered the most politically, economically, and socially stable country in the world. Finnish citizens enjoy a high quality of life—unlike the Japanese and Germans, who live like machines, and the Americans, who live like tanks.

Despite having a population of just over 5 million, Finland's national income is greater than that of Egypt, which has 90 million people. Finland is home to giant companies in various sectors, previously led by Nokia—until its downfall—and now leading in shipbuilding, medical industries, and services, with hundreds of companies ranked by Forbes.

What does education look like in Finland?

First, education is legally free. School fees, school bus fees, and all school supplies, including books, notebooks, pens, and rulers, are free. Every school has a huge, well-equipped kitchen run by nutrition specialists, and the head chef often holds a master's degree. And yes, the food is free.

The main goal of education in Finland is the psychological and physical well-being of students. There is no punishment in schools, only admonition, and historically, no Finnish student has even been punished verbally.

For relaxation, the first stage of education lasts 9 years without tests or exams, aiming for no student to be distinguishable from another—a magical formula of Finnish education.

Teachers in Finland must have a master's degree to teach in primary and secondary schools, and many high school teachers hold PhDs. Teachers are also researchers in educational and psychological sciences and must attend regular training courses to enhance their skills. They are responsible for setting their curriculum and teaching methods.

Student assessments are descriptive rather than numerical, and the assessments are confidential, reported only to the school management and annually to the Ministry of Education.

If a student struggles, the teacher can recommend specialized individual teaching immediately provided by the school based on strict administrative evaluations.

Private tutoring is strictly forbidden, and private schools make up only 3% of all schools in Finland, with stringent regulations similar to opening a nightclub in a religious country.

The school day consists of four 75-minute classes, with no homework—students complete their assignments during breaks and go home to live their lives. Each week, students also have two hours of skills classes, including music and sports.

The teacher-student ratio is very favorable compared to other countries, ensuring quality education.

The only exams students take are at the end of high school, focusing on understanding rather than rote learning, with options to expand and choose their subjects.

After achieving a good grade in high school, admission to university still requires passing a tough entrance exam for each college, proving eligibility.

There is a significant emphasis on moral education through all activities and educational stages, including religious education for various beliefs.

Early childhood care is also a priority, with laws ensuring places for children under 6 in their local areas, reflecting Finland's calm and systematic approach to education.

Selecting and training educators is taken very seriously, starting from the Minister of Education to the smallest nursery teacher, with a strong emphasis on continuous feedback and improvement.