16 surprising facts about Finland's unorthodox education system

Here’s what makes Finland’s system so different from other western states.

SINCE IT implemented huge education reforms 40 years ago, Finland’s school system has consistently come at the top of international rankings for education systems.

So how do they do it?

It’s simple — by going against the evaluation-driven, centralised model that much of the Western world uses.

1. Finnish children don't start school until they are 7.

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1. Finnish children don't start school until they are 7.
(Image: mckaysavage on Flickr via Creative Commons)
2. They rarely take exams or do homework until they are well into their teens. The children are not measured at all for the first six years of their education.
(Image: spiritinme on Flickr via Creative Commons)
3. There is only one mandatory standardised test in Finland, taken when children are 16.
(Image: comedy_nose on Flickr via Creative Commons)
4. Finland spends around 30 per cent less per student than the US. All children, regardless of ability, are taught in the same classrooms.
(Image: martinhoward on Flickr via Creative Commons)
5. Thirty per cent of children receive extra help during their first nine years of school.
(Image: Sh4rp_i on Flickr via Creative Commons)
6. Sixty-six per cent of students go to college.
(Image: James Sarmiento (old account) on Flickr via Creative Commons)
7. The difference between the weakest and strongest students in the smallest in the world.
(Image: MinimalistPhotography101.com on Flickr via Creative Commons)
8. Ninety-three per cent of Finns graduate from high school.
(Image: j.o.h.n. walker on Flickr via Creative Commons)
9. Forty-three per cent of Finnish second-level students go to vocational schools.
(Image: Iago Laz on Flickr via Creative Commons)
10. Teachers only spend four hours a day in the classroom, and take two hours a week for "professional development".
(Image: Laineys Repertoire/Creative Commons)
11. The school system is 100% state funded.
(Image: Harry Brignull on Flickr via Creative Commons)
12. The national curriculum is only a broad guideline.
(Image: n0rthw1nd on Flickr via Creative Commons)
13. All teachers in Finland must have a masters degree, which is fully subsidised.
(Image: Apuch on Flickr via Creative Commons)
14. Teachers are selected from the top 10 per cent of graduates and their average starting salary in 2008 was $22,235. Last year, 6,600 applicants vied for 660 primary school training positions.
(Image: nate steiner/Creative Commons)
15. High school teachers with 15 years of experience earn 102 per cent more than other college graduates.
(Image: mrstg on Flickr via Creative Commons)
16. In an international standardised measurement in 2001, Finnish children came top or very close to the top for science, reading and maths.
(Image: Dvortygirl on Flickr via Creative Commons)

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39 Comments

Brian Houlihan 13y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Brian Houlihan

Favourite Brian Houlihan

Jan 31st 2016, 9:31 AM

Find out where your local election candidates stand on cannabis decriminalisation

https://irishcannabis.wordpress.com/2016/01/20/where-do-election-candidates-stand-on-decriminalisation/

China Photo Daily 11y

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Jan 31st 2016, 11:53 AM

No idea why you are being down voted?? Great link

Billy Naughton 13y

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Jan 31st 2016, 1:47 PM

Great link indeed. Thanks for posting.

Ben Fede 12y

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Jan 31st 2016, 7:49 AM

Shouldn’t this be “Colombia”? Who wrote this- Steve Harvey?

Leo Lowe 9y

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Jan 31st 2016, 7:51 AM

Further information about the Colombia connection can be swallowed at the IRA/SF offices.

The Guru 11y

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Jan 31st 2016, 8:00 AM

No this is about Colombia

*Columbia

See 2 more replies ▾

Ted Murray 13y

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Jan 31st 2016, 9:39 AM

How about Kumbaya, we’ve had everything else :p

Juan Franc 10y

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Jan 31st 2016, 9:53 AM

Leo/diarmiud, is the main source of funding for your cultural ambassadors,the uda/uvf coming from jumble sales and mini marathon sponsorship cards?

marty 12y

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Jan 31st 2016, 9:52 AM

Could be worse, could be doing business with the C.I.A.

Jho Harris 12y

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Jan 31st 2016, 11:45 AM

Strange that the drug gangs and The Gardai keep changing tactics but the law makers and judiciary just keep handing out suspended sentences. If I stole something would I not just be able to say it is for my own use. Or if I was an arsonist would the government give me lead free petrol. Methadone is not working, cold turkey may be the only answer to get off heroin and bringing drugs into Ireland should be treated as endangering a nation with zero tolerance regardless of the poor mouth stories

john doe 11y

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Jan 31st 2016, 12:35 PM

Won’t do anything to help. Just punish already desperate people

John B 12y

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Jan 31st 2016, 12:49 PM

John doe, that’s only if you let them out again.

Jan 31st 2016, 1:23 PM

That’s what they do in the USA doesn’t seem to have solved their drug problem.
Compare that to Portugal where possession is decriminalised, drug related deaths, illness and harm all reducing.

Feb 1st 2016, 10:37 AM

What about the elderly people being savagely attacked in their homes so that drug habits canbe fed, do they not count? If you are only doing at weekends for the craic you are contributing to the of mass fortunes of the like ,of John Gilligan and deserve what punishment you get. A drug free society may not be possible but surely it is worth a try.

Patrick Norton 10y

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Jan 31st 2016, 9:00 AM

Columbia, I meant to say Colombia. No no no I meant to say Phillipines. Sorry it’s the Philippines!!!!

Philip foster 10y

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Jan 31st 2016, 2:24 PM

Our government should legalise marajuna HERB FOR A START HAVE INJECTION CLINICS FIR DRUG USERS AND SLOWLY PUT U NO WHO OUT OF BUSINESS

Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair 11y

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Jan 31st 2016, 12:25 PM

Irishman went to Afghanistan to see if there was any craic. The mujahideen told him he had made a complete hash of the interview. He was a proper dopium!

Martin McNally 12y

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Feb 1st 2016, 12:04 PM

One silver bullet….. Legalisation.

Áine Kav 13y

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Feb 1st 2016, 1:53 AM

It’s COLOMBIA

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16 surprising facts about Finland's unorthodox education system

1. Finnish children don't start school until they are 7.

2. They rarely take exams or do homework until they are well into their teens. The children are not measured at all for the first six years of their education.

3. There is only one mandatory standardised test in Finland, taken when children are 16.

4. Finland spends around 30 per cent less per student than the US. All children, regardless of ability, are taught in the same classrooms.

5. Thirty per cent of children receive extra help during their first nine years of school.

6. Sixty-six per cent of students go to college.

7. The difference between the weakest and strongest students in the smallest in the world.

8. Ninety-three per cent of Finns graduate from high school.

9. Forty-three per cent of Finnish second-level students go to vocational schools.

10. Teachers only spend four hours a day in the classroom, and take two hours a week for "professional development".

11. The school system is 100% state funded.

12. The national curriculum is only a broad guideline.

13. All teachers in Finland must have a masters degree, which is fully subsidised.

14. Teachers are selected from the top 10 per cent of graduates and their average starting salary in 2008 was $22,235. Last year, 6,600 applicants vied for 660 primary school training positions.

15. High school teachers with 15 years of experience earn 102 per cent more than other college graduates.

16. In an international standardised measurement in 2001, Finnish children came top or very close to the top for science, reading and maths.

Read more articles by Adam Taylor on BusinessInsider.com >