Finnish training model. Video: sightseeing tour with the director of a secondary school in Finland

Despite the fact that Finland has only existed as an independent state for 100 years, its educational system is deservedly considered one of the best in the world. This country traditionally ranks first in the educational index of the population, and holders of diplomas from its higher educational institutions are in great demand in all countries of Western Europe. High-quality and, which is very important for young people, free education attracts students from all over the world to Finland. Citizens of Russia are no exception. Studying in Finland is especially popular among residents of the North-West region, for whom a simplified visa issuance system applies.

Features of Finnish education

Each stage of training allows you to improve the level of education

The educational system operating in Finland today was formed in the 60s of the last century. It includes 4 steps:

preschool education;
secondary school;
secondary educational institutions;
higher education institutions.

At each level, instruction is conducted in two official languages: Finnish and Swedish. In the northern regions of the country, they are supplemented by the indigenous language of Suomi.

Preschool education

Kindergartens in Finland accept children from 9 months to 5 years. Their main task is to care for children during the day and help parents raise their children. Unlike all other stages of education, this stage costs money. Moreover, the amount of payment does not depend on the prestige or better equipment of the kindergarten, but on the income of the child’s parents. The maximum payment is 254 euros, and the minimum is 23 euros.

Kindergartens in Finland have everything necessary for the development of children

A kindergarten group can have from 12 to 21 children, depending on their age. The younger the children, the more teachers work with them. In large cities, there is often a shortage of places in preschool institutions, so the state pays benefits to those parents who independently take care of the child.

At the age of 6, preparation for school begins, which lasts one year. Its attendance is free and compulsory for all children. Groups for classes are formed in kindergarten or school.

Comprehensive school

School education in Finland consists of two levels and lasts 9-10 years. Moreover, students do not pass exams even after graduating from school. They don't have diaries either. Parents can learn about their child's progress from the electronic class journal in the national Wilma system. In addition, once a month the class curator gives them a report card, where all the student’s grades are recorded.

Video: sightseeing tour with the director of a secondary school in Finland

The academic year begins in mid-August (the exact date is set by the school administration) and lasts until the end of May or the beginning of June. During this time, schoolchildren go on vacation three times. All schools in the country work first shift, 5 days a week.

Entry level

At the age of 7, children go to primary school (alakoulu), where education lasts 6 years. Junior classes spend all their time in the same office with a permanent teacher. In the first two years, schoolchildren study four main subjects:

mathematics;
reading;
native language;
natural history.

Additionally, they do physical education. Much attention is also paid to the creative development of children: they are taught to play various musical instruments, choral singing, drawing and modeling. In one lesson, kids can study several disciplines at the same time.

Children are provided with a huge number of opportunities for development

Every year new lessons are added, and by the end of the sixth grade, students have basic knowledge in all basic subjects, which necessarily include Finnish, Swedish and two foreign languages. Grades in Finnish primary schools appear after the 3rd grade and are given only orally.

Particular attention is paid to inclusive education; all Finns are explained from an early age that children with speech impediments and people with disabilities are full-fledged people who should be treated as equals.

Upper stage

From 7th grade, students move to high school. Usually it is located in a separate building. At this stage, each teacher teaches a separate subject. In the classroom he is accompanied by an assistant, which greatly simplifies the learning process.

High school students have the right to independently choose additional disciplines. Training at this level lasts 3 years. If desired, children can improve their knowledge by attending an additional tenth grade. After graduating from high school, graduates can continue their education or go to work. Their introduction to professions is given quite a lot of attention in the ninth grade. Students independently choose their desired place for employment and become familiar with its features.

Schoolchildren are given virtually no homework. Finnish teachers believe that it is healthier for children to go for a walk and spend free time with their parents, rather than sit over their lessons.

In high school, a ten-point grading system is adopted, in which the lowest is a four. If a student receives such a final grade, he must prove at the beginning of the next school year that his knowledge has improved.

Principles of Finnish school education

According to research by the international organization PISA, Finnish schoolchildren consistently rank first in terms of educational level. Experts around the world are trying to unravel the mystery of such effective learning. Most of them believe that this was largely possible thanks to a number of principles on which Finnish education is based.

Equality. There are no elite or ordinary schools in Finland. All educational institutions are equally well funded and have the same opportunities. Finns do not divide children into different classes depending on their abilities and the financial capabilities of their parents. Both geniuses and noticeably lagging behind study in the same team. Teachers should not ask children questions related to their parents’ place of work and income level.
Free. In Finnish schools, any collection of money from parents is strictly prohibited. In addition to the training itself, students are provided free of charge: lunches, excursions and any extracurricular activities, textbooks and all necessary supplies, including tablets or e-books; transport that transports children if the distance from home to the nearest school is more than 2 km.
Individuality. For each child, teachers develop a special curriculum. The student may ask for additional explanation of the material at the end of the lesson. There are no tutors in Finland. Teachers do an excellent job with their responsibilities. For children who constantly have problems mastering the material, there is remedial education. It is carried out in small groups or individually.
Voluntariness. Teachers try to interest the child in studying certain subjects, but if he lacks the desire or lacks the ability, then he will be oriented towards obtaining a good working specialty. A special school specialist, the “teacher of the future,” is engaged in identifying inclinations for certain activities.
Practicality. Finnish schools prepare students for life, not for exams. It is important not to memorize formulas, but to learn how to use reference books and correctly apply the information received. Children are not called to the board, the teacher explains the topic of the lesson and, together with an assistant, monitors the completion of tasks.

Secondary education - lyceums and colleges

After school, Finns can continue their education at a lyceum (lukio) or a vocational college (ammattikoulu). Selection for educational institutions at this level is based on average school grades. Weak students go to college, where they receive a working specialty, and stronger students go to a lyceum, where they improve their knowledge in various disciplines.

Depending on the future profession, college education lasts from one to four years. Here you can get a specialty in almost any field: from agriculture to art or sports. During training, special attention is paid to practical knowledge. Graduates, if desired, can enter any higher educational institution.

Video: vocational education system in Finland

At the lyceum, education lasts for 3 years. It is conducted according to the course system, so there is no usual division into classes. After graduating from the lyceum, graduates take exams in the following disciplines:

native language (Finnish or Swedish);
second state language;
foreign language;
mathematics or humanities subjects (optional).

After successfully passing these tests, graduates in a solemn ceremony receive white caps, which they are very proud of, and begin to be considered applicants. Passing the exams allows you to choose any institute or university in the country for further education.

Higher education

Universities in Finland are divided into two categories:

universities (yliopisto)
polytechnic institutes, or if their name is literally translated from Finnish, “institutes of applied sciences” (ammattikorkeakoulu).

The main difference between polytechnic institutes is the large number of practical classes that are introduced into the curriculum at the beginning of the first year.

The Finnish degree system includes the following levels:

Bachelor (kandidaatti). Awarded after 3-4 years of study at any university in the country. Some faculties require the defense of a final thesis or in-depth study of several subjects.
Master (maisteri). To obtain a master's degree, you need to study for another 2 years at the university. Graduates of polytechnic institutes who decide to become masters must work for three years in their chosen specialty and attend one-year preparatory courses.
Doctor of Science (tohtori). The student becomes the owner of this title after 4 years of doctoral studies, conducting scientific research and defending a dissertation. In the middle of this period, applicants are awarded a lecinciate degree, which has no analogues in other European countries.

Basic languages and the principle of free education

Education at universities in the country is conducted in Finnish and Swedish. But there are programs for foreign students in English. Most of them are designed to obtain a master's degree in business and IT technology. Depending on the program, teaching in English may last the entire course or only the first two years.

All stages of Finnish higher education are free for both local residents and foreigners, including citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

Popular educational institutions and educational programs for Russians

For a long time, Finnish parents did not have the right to choose schools. Despite the fact that this ban has now been lifted, most students continue to go to nearby schools, since they are all almost the same. But there are educational institutions in which the program is noticeably different from others. Thus, the Russian School of Eastern Finland, founded in 1997, is popular among immigrants from our country. Its branches are located in three cities: Joensuu, Lappeenranta and Imatrea.

Education at this school is conducted in Finnish, but some subjects are taught in Russian. In addition, immigrant children receive assistance in their native language during lessons and can attend additional classes to learn Finnish.

Graduates of the Russian School without exams enter its gymnasium, where they are formed into special groups that study in the city's lyceums. They study core subjects separately from other lyceum students, and compulsory ones - in general classes.

There are about 50 higher education institutions in Finland. The largest and most prestigious of them is the University of Helsinki. Only highly qualified specialists teach there. Almost all possible disciplines are studied here; the education received at the medical faculty of this university is especially valued. Bachelor's degrees are taught only in Finnish and Swedish, but many master's and doctoral programs are taught in English.

The oldest and largest university in Finland, founded in 1640

Most Russian students choose programs focused on business, information technology and tourism. This is due to the fact that these areas are usually taught in English. Some universities have programs in which some subjects are taught in Russian. Thus, the Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences (Ammattikorkeakoulu) teaches a course in hotel business and tourism. Here you can get both a bachelor's and a master's degree.

Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences is very popular among Russians

How to enter a university?

First of all, you need to decide on the choice of university and find out about its rules for admitting applicants. All universities independently determine the deadlines for submitting documents, their list and the method of passing entrance exams.

Video: how to enter the Finnish University of Applied Sciences

Most universities accept applications from the beginning of December to the end of March. Most often, future students must submit the following documents:

a completed application for admission to a university (a sample can be found on the website Universityadmissions.fi - for universities or Admissions.fi - for polytechnic institutes);
a copy of the certificate of secondary education, translated into Finnish;
a certificate confirming successful completion of an international English language exam (TOEFL or IELTS);
a motivation letter in English, in which the applicant explains why he chose this particular university.

Some universities independently test the level of English language proficiency in a face-to-face exam.

11th grade students who have not yet received a certificate can enter Finnish universities under the discretionary admission program. To do this, they will need to attach to the package of documents a certificate confirming their studies in the 11th grade and a report card with grades for the first half of the year.

If the review of documents is positive, the applicant receives a written invitation to the entrance examination. Based on this document, the future student receives permission to enter Finland.

Some universities require you to pass exams in specialized subjects, while others require you to successfully pass an interview. Admissions committees from Finland often come to the border regions of Russia and conduct entrance tests on site.

After receiving confirmation of enrollment at the university, you must apply for a student visa. To do this, you must provide the Finnish Embassy with a package of documents, which includes:

a questionnaire filled out according to the OLE_OPI form (it can be downloaded from the website migri.fi);
two photographs measuring 47 mm by 36 mm;
a valid foreign passport;
a certificate confirming enrollment in a Finnish educational institution;
certificate of education received in Russia;
a certificate from the bank confirming the availability of funds sufficient to live in Finland (at least 560 euros per month);
medical insurance policy;
birth certificate and parental permission to travel to Finland (for students under 18 years of age).

Students who come to Finland for more than a year are required to obtain registration from the police department. It includes the provision of basic personal data and is renewed every year.

Cost of studying in Finland for foreigners

Higher education in Finland is free, but students will still have to spend money. During training At the university it is necessary to pay for teaching aids and mandatory membership fees to the trade union. Typically these payments do not exceed 90 euros per month. In addition, the student pays for housing and food on his own.

Every city in Finland has an organization that distributes dormitories. There are a lot of people who want to get housing there, so it’s better to contact them immediately after admission. Applications are submitted to the organization's website. The cost of a separate room in a three-room apartment ranges from 150 to 300 euros, depending on the size of the city.

Foreign students receiving their first higher education are not provided with any scholarships. Only applicants for a master's or doctorate degree can qualify for various grants.

A student visa gives you the right to work no more than 20 hours a week. During the holidays this restriction is lifted. In large cities in Finland, it is quite easy to find a job for a student who speaks Finnish fluently. Without this skill, you often have to settle for the position of a cleaner or handyman.

“Either we prepare for life, or for exams. We choose the first."
Natalya Kireeva lives in Helsinki. She recently spoke about the system and principles of local education and shared her opinion on why Finnish education is considered one of the best in the world.
According to international studies conducted every 3 years by the authoritative organization PISA, Finnish schoolchildren showed the highest level of knowledge in the world. They are also the best reading children on the planet, ranking 2nd in science and 5th in math. But this is not even what fascinates the teaching community so much. It is incredible that with such high results, students spend the least amount of time studying.
Compulsory secondary education in Finland includes two levels of school:
- lower (alakoulu), from 1st to 6th grade;
- upper (yläkoulu), from 7th to 9th grade.
In the additional 10th grade, students can improve their grades. Then the children go to a vocational college or continue their studies at the lyceum (lukio), grades 11–12 in our usual sense.
7 principles of the “secondary” level of Finnish education:
1. Equality
School
There are no elites or weak ones. The largest school in the country has 960 students. The smallest has 11. All have exactly the same equipment, capabilities and proportional funding. Almost all schools are public, there are a dozen public-private ones. The difference, besides the fact that parents make partial payments, is the increased requirements for students. As a rule, these are peculiar “pedagogical” laboratories that follow the chosen pedagogy: Montessori, Frenet, Steiner, Mortan and Waldorf schools. Private institutions also include institutions teaching in English, German, and French.
Following the principle of equality, Finland has a parallel education system "from kindergarten to university" in Swedish. The interests of the Sami people have not been forgotten; in the north of the country it is possible to study in their native language.
Until recently, Finns were forbidden to choose a school; they had to send their children to the “closest” one. The ban was lifted, but most parents still send their children “closer”, because all schools are equally good.
Items.
In-depth study of some subjects at the expense of others is not encouraged. Here it is not considered that mathematics is more important than, for example, art. On the contrary, the only exception to creating classes with gifted children may be aptitude for drawing, music and sports.
Parents.
The teacher will find out who the child’s parents are by profession (social status) last, if necessary. Questions from teachers and questionnaires regarding parents’ place of work are prohibited.
Students.
Finns do not sort students into classes based on ability or career preferences.
There are also no “bad” and “good” students. Comparing students with each other is prohibited. Children, both brilliant and those with severe mental deficits, are considered “special” and learn along with everyone else. Children in wheelchairs also study in the general team. In a regular school, a class can be created for students with visual or hearing impairments. Finns try to integrate into society as much as possible those who require special treatment. The difference between weak and strong students is the smallest in the world.
“I was outraged by the Finnish education system when my daughter, who by local standards can be considered gifted, was studying at school. But when my son, who had a lot of problems, went to school, I immediately really liked everything,” the Russian mother shared her impressions.
Teachers.
There are no “favorite” or “hated grimaces”. Teachers also do not attach their souls to “their class”, do not single out “favorites” and vice versa. Any deviations from harmony lead to termination of the contract with such a teacher. Finnish teachers only have to do their job as a mentor. All of them are equally important in the work collective: “physicists”, and “lyricists”, and labor teachers.
Equal rights of an adult (teacher, parent) and a child.
The Finns call this principle “respect for the student.” Children from the 1st grade are explained their rights, including the right to “complain” about adults to a social worker. This encourages Finnish parents to understand that their child is an independent person, whom it is forbidden to offend either with words or with a belt. Teachers cannot humiliate students due to the specifics of the teaching profession adopted in Finnish labor legislation. The main feature is that all teachers sign a contract for only 1 academic year, with a possible (or not) extension, and also receive a high salary (from 2,500 euros for an assistant, to 5,000 for a subject teacher).
2. Free
In addition to the training itself, the following are free:
lunches;
excursions, museums and all extracurricular activities;
transport that picks up and returns the child if the nearest school is more than two kilometers away;
textbooks, all office supplies, calculators and even laptops and tablets.
Any collection of parent funds for any purpose is prohibited.

3. Individuality
An individual learning and development plan is drawn up for each child. Individualization concerns the content of the textbooks used, exercises, the number of class and homework assignments and the time allocated for them, as well as the material taught: for whom the “roots” are required - a more detailed presentation, and for whom the “tops” are required - briefly about the main thing.
During a lesson in the same class, children perform exercises of different difficulty levels. And they will be assessed according to their personal level. If you performed “your” exercise of initial difficulty perfectly, you will receive an “excellent”. Tomorrow they will give you a higher level - if you don’t cope, it’s okay, you’ll get a simple task again.
In Finnish schools, along with regular education, there are two unique types of educational process:
Supportive teaching of “weak” students is what private tutors do in Russia. In Finland, tutoring is not popular; school teachers volunteer to provide extra help during or after lessons.
Correctional education is associated with persistent general problems in mastering the material, for example, due to a lack of understanding of the non-native Finnish language in which training is conducted, or due to difficulties with memorization, with mathematical skills, as well as with antisocial behavior of some children. Correctional training is carried out in small groups or individually.
4. Practicality
The Finns say: “We either prepare for life or for exams. We choose the first." That's why there are no exams in Finnish schools. Control and intermediate tests are at the discretion of the teacher. There is only one mandatory standard test at the end of secondary school, and teachers do not care about its results, are not accountable to anyone for it, and children are not specially prepared: what is there is good.
At school they teach only what you may need in life. The design of a blast furnace, for example, is not useful; it is not studied. But the kids here know from childhood what a portfolio, contract, and bank card are. They can calculate the percentage of tax on an inheritance received or income earned in the future, create a business card website on the Internet, calculate the price of a product after several discounts, or draw a “wind rose” in a given area.
5. Trust
Firstly, to school employees and teachers: there are no checks, rono, methodologists teaching how to teach, etc. The education program in the country is uniform, but it represents only general recommendations, and each teacher uses the teaching method that he considers appropriate.
Secondly, trust in children: during lessons you can do your own thing. For example, if an educational film is on during a literature lesson, but the student is not interested, he can read a book. It is believed that the student himself chooses what is healthier for him.
6. Voluntariness
He who wants to learn learns. Teachers will try to attract the student’s attention, but if he has a complete lack of interest or ability to study, the child will be oriented toward a “simple” profession that will be practically useful in the future and will not be bombarded with “fs.” Not everyone has to build airplanes, someone has to be good at driving buses.
The Finns also see this as the task of high school - to determine whether a given teenager should continue studying at a lyceum or whether a minimum level of knowledge is enough, and who would benefit from going to a vocational school. It should be noted that both paths are equally valued in the country.
A full-time school specialist, the “teacher of the future,” is engaged in identifying each child’s inclinations for a certain type of activity through tests and conversations.
In general, the learning process in a Finnish school is soft and delicate, but this does not mean that you can “give up” on school. Control of the school regime is mandatory. All missed lessons will be made up in the literal sense. For example, for a 6th grade student, a teacher can find a “window” in the schedule and put him in a lesson in 2nd grade: sit, be bored and think about life. If you disturb the younger ones, the hour will not be counted. If you don’t follow the teacher’s instructions, don’t work in class, no one will call your parents, threaten, insult, referring to mental inferiority or laziness. If parents are also not concerned about their child’s studies, he will not easily move on to the next grade.
There is no shame in staying a second year in Finland, especially after 9th grade. You need to prepare seriously for adult life, which is why Finnish schools have an additional (optional) 10th grade.
7. Independence
Finns believe that school should teach the child the main thing - an independent future successful life. Therefore, here they teach us to think and gain knowledge ourselves. The teacher does not teach new topics - everything is in the books. What is important is not memorized formulas, but the ability to use a reference book, text, the Internet, a calculator - to attract the necessary resources to solve current problems.
Also, school teachers do not interfere in students’ conflicts, giving them the opportunity to prepare for life situations comprehensively and develop the ability to stand up for themselves.
The educational process in “identical” Finnish schools, however, is organized very differently.
When and how long do we study?
The school year in Finland begins in August, from the 8th to the 16th, there is no single day. And it ends at the end of May. In the autumn half-year there are 3-4 days of autumn holidays and 2 weeks of Christmas holidays. The spring half-year includes a week each of February - the “skiing” holiday (Finnish families, as a rule, go skiing together) - and Easter.
Training is five days, only on the day shift. Friday is a “short day”.
What are we learning?
1st–2nd grade:
The native (Finnish) language and reading, mathematics, natural history, religion (according to religion) or life understanding (for those who do not care about religion), music, fine arts, labor and physical education are studied. Several disciplines can be studied at once in one lesson.
Grades 3–6:
Learning English begins. In 4th grade there is another foreign language to choose from: French, Swedish, German or Russian. Additional disciplines are being introduced - elective subjects, each school has its own: typing speed on a keyboard, computer literacy, ability to work with wood, choral singing. Almost all schools offer playing musical instruments; during 9 years of study, children will try everything, from the pipe to the double bass.
In grade 5, biology, geography, physics, chemistry, and history are added. From grades 1 to 6, instruction is taught by one teacher in almost all subjects. A physical education lesson is any sports game 1-3 times a week, depending on the school. A shower is required after class. Literature, in the usual sense for us, is not studied, it is rather reading. Subject teachers appear only in 7th grade.
7th–9th grade:
Finnish language and literature (reading, local culture), Swedish, English, mathematics, biology, geography, physics, chemistry, basic health, religion (life understanding), music, fine arts, physical education, elective subjects and work that is not divided separately " for boys" and "for girls". Everyone learns together how to cook soups and cut with a jigsaw. In 9th grade - 2 weeks of familiarization with “working life”. The guys find any “workplace” for themselves and go “to work” with great pleasure.
Who needs grades?
The country has adopted a 10-point system, but up to grade 7 a verbal assessment is used: mediocre, satisfactory, good, excellent. From 1st to 3rd grade there are no marks in any options.
All schools are connected to the state electronic system "Wilma", something like an electronic school diary, to which parents receive a personal access code. Teachers give grades, record absences, and inform about the child’s life at school; a psychologist, a social worker, a “teacher of the future,” and a paramedic also leave there the information parents need.
Grades in a Finnish school do not have an ominous connotation and are required only for the student himself; they are used to motivate the child to achieve his goal and self-test so that he can improve his knowledge if he wishes. They do not affect the teacher’s reputation in any way; they do not spoil school or district indicators.
Trifles of school life
The school grounds are not fenced, and there is no security at the entrance. Most schools have an automatic lock system on the front door; entry into the building is only possible according to the schedule.
Children do not necessarily sit at desks and tables; they can also sit on the floor (carpet). In some schools, classrooms are equipped with sofas and armchairs. The premises of the junior school are covered with carpets and rugs.
There is no uniform, as well as any requirements regarding clothing; you can even come in pajamas. Changeable shoes are required, but most primary and secondary children prefer to run in socks.
In warm weather, lessons are often held outdoors near the school, right on the grass, or on specially equipped benches in the form of an amphitheater. During breaks, elementary school students must be taken outside, even if only for 10 minutes.
Homework is rarely assigned. Children need to rest. And parents should not study with their children; teachers recommend instead a family trip to a museum, forest or swimming pool.
Teaching “at the blackboard” is not used; children are not called upon to retell the material. The teacher briefly sets the general tone of the lesson, then walks among the students, helping them and monitoring the completion of tasks. The teacher's assistant also does this (there is such a position in Finnish schools).
You can write in notebooks with a pencil and erase as much as you like. Moreover, the teacher can check the assignment with a pencil!
This is what Finnish secondary education looks like in a very brief summary. Maybe it will seem wrong to some. Finns do not pretend to be ideal and do not rest on their laurels; even in the best things you can find disadvantages. They are constantly examining how their school system is keeping up with changes in society. For example, reforms are currently being prepared that propose dividing mathematics into algebra and geometry and increasing teaching hours in them, as well as distinguishing literature and social science as separate subjects.
However, the Finnish school definitely does the most important thing. Their children do not cry out at night from nervous tension, do not dream of growing up quickly, do not hate school, do not torment themselves and the whole family while preparing for the next exams. Calm, reasonable and happy, they read books, easily watch films without translation into Finnish, play computer games, ride rollerblades, bikes, bikes, compose music, theater plays, and sing. They enjoy life. And in between all this, they also have time to study.

Since I arrived in the country of a thousand lakes, I constantly hear from local residents that they have the best education in the world. I constantly wanted to ask: “Who decided this?” This statement reminds me a little of the slogan: “Dog food gets tastier and tastier!”…. And who decides this, the dogs themselves, or people trying what it tastes like? So..... Education.

I’ll start with the fact that I work as a teacher, so I don’t just drive a pitchfork through the water and theoretically assume what and how is happening in Finnish schools, but I know the system from the inside. I would like to warn you right away that I absolutely do not impose my opinion on anyone, this is my personal view of things, I am not a social bureau, I do not conduct surveys, I do not compare tables, I do not record research data.

Have you ever heard from friends or grandparents that you should have sent your child to study in Russia, where they would have made him a man. Otherwise, in your Finland they won’t learn anything, they ruined their smart head!!! I heard... what's the reality?

1. I don’t think education in Finland is the best. It's average. However, a huge plus is that it is really close to life. I remember from my school days how I tried to cope with physics and chemistry, although I was an excellent student, but simply abstract formulas were very difficult for a humanities student. In Finland, Dewey's principles are very widely used, learning by doing and playing. Here children not only learn what the density of objects is, but try to understand why a stone, for example, weighs less in water. They don’t stupidly memorize what the speed of a pendulum depends on, but in physics lessons they conduct experiments and write down the results themselves.

2. The program is not supernatural, but when children come from Russia, even though they study, judging by the descriptions of their parents and themselves, from morning to evening, and from evening to morning, the level of knowledge turns out to be the same. This means that something works better here than in Russia, since with less effort it is possible to achieve the same result.

3. From the bad: I judge only by my children, they develop memory poorly. In elementary school, when children absorb everything like a sponge, they can and should be assigned homework to learn poems by heart. Well, really, it’s very good for the further process so that the child remembers everything well.

4. Very diverse teaching staff. And in Russia, of course, this exists, but here there are simply uncontrolled personnel. My daughter had very bad luck in elementary school. The teacher screamed so much that they were afraid to ask her again. As a result, we had to hire an additional teacher on Skype for several subjects, and by the 5th grade we had a nervous breakdown, ended up in the hospital with terrible headaches, lost our legs, and for some time after that we were observed by a neurologist. We transferred to another school... There the picture changed to exactly the opposite. The teacher was so unable to cope with the class that instead of teaching the children, she removed them from their desks for half the lesson. And nothing much can be done. If the teacher has “virka”, then he cannot be moved. The union is very strong and in the end everything comes down to your words versus the words of the teacher. Believe me, you will lose in this battle (there are teachers with a diagnosis... in one of our schools, in the primary grades, there is a teacher diagnosed with schizophrenia. It’s okay, a couple of weeks in the fall, a couple of weeks in the spring, and the rest of the time is invigorated).

At the same time, there are a huge number of professionals in their field, truly teachers from God, from whom we need to learn how to teach lessons and hold the attention of students.

5. Substitute teacher. Surely your children, if they are in school, told you that they had a substitute today. Do you know that in order to substitute at school you do not need special education. At first I was surprised by the stories that we watched the film, we did nothing, but there was a substitute. Now I know. The task of the substitute teacher is not to teach, but to ensure that everything is physically preserved in its original form... let me spell it out: so that the children do not kill each other. Teaching a couple of lessons is a great way to earn extra money for students or those who have just completed 11th grade.

6. From the point of view of a teacher’s work, the complete lack of subordination between teacher and student is very annoying. Moreover, either from an excessive desire to get your attention, or out of stupidity, many try to speak obvious vulgarities, or swear, even in Russian, if they know that you are Russian (and this is hard to hide).

7. However, I like that in Finland everyone has equal chances for the same education. In Russia today the division between elite schools and ordinary schools in working-class areas is too obvious. There is money, there are good teachers, opportunities, textbooks. No, well, no, and there is no trial. In Finland, everyone can rise to the level of education they want... All you need is a little effort. Entering a university is usually not a big deal... You don't need money, money or connections to do it. All you need is a little preparation.

8. Finns are very proud that their country offers lifelong learning opportunities. You can get a hundred professions. If you didn’t come alone, go retrain. Students of different ages sit at their desks and this is the norm. I can only say from my experience studying in higher education institutions that everything is more relaxed. For us, after studying in Russia (by the way, I still have nightmares at night that there’s an exam tomorrow), it’s very difficult to understand how it’s possible to study like that.

9. Finnish education is very adapted. If a child falls behind, he is not sent to a special school; they exist, but they are few; basically they try to structure the process so that everyone learns together. And if someone does not understand something in one subject, special teachers teach him exactly these subjects using simplified books. The rest of the time he is in class.

10. By the way, another interesting find of the Finnish school, the prison system. If you were guilty, spoke rudely to the teacher, or disturbed others in class, you receive a penalty hour, or time in prison. For young people, an hour of their life is a lot, so this is a serious punishment. From a pedagogical point of view, I don’t really understand why you have to sit silently for an hour and do nothing. It would be more productive to give additional tasks, for example, it would be possible to sit for the benefit of the head)))) No, they just sit......

11. School psychologists work very well. Most often, each school has its own full-time psychologist. If the child has done something wrong, they have a conversation with him. Each specific case is usually dealt with there. Next, your child will be asked to tell their parents at home about what happened (by the way, this part is often the most difficult for a teenager). And then the teacher will call and clarify that you are aware, and that the situation will also be discussed at home.

Let me sum it up. I think Finnish education is far from the best in the world. But it is one of the closest to real life. Children here study without stress, they have a lot of free time after school, which can be spent on various sections or just chatting with friends, while whoever wants to, learns and knows. You definitely can't call Finnish teenagers idiots. Well-developed, cheerful guys. It’s not always easy with them, but it’s definitely always exciting and interesting.

With love from Finland,
Alina Suomalainen

Today it is hard to believe that the Finnish education system is less than 50 years old. It was in the sixties of the now last century that the system of higher and vocational education in Finland began to take shape. Over these half a century, Finland has come a long way - now there are 29 universities in the state, of which 10 are specialized (3 polytechnic universities, 3 higher economic institutions and 4 arts) and the same number are multi-faculty.

Most of the country's universities were founded in the post-war period. The exceptions are: the Royal Academy in Turku (founded in 1640, when Finland was still part of the Kingdom of Sweden, since then it has changed its location - in 1828, after a great fire - and is now located in Helsinki); University of Technology and School of Economics and Management (opened at the beginning of the 20th century); Abo Academy and Turku Academy (1918).

However, education in Finland, as in any other country, begins not with institutes, academies or universities, but with preschool education. As you know, secondary and higher education in Finland is free, but preschool education is paid. Kindergartens are divided into three types: municipal, private and family; parents themselves choose which kindergarten to send their child to. Payment for kindergarten depends on family income. The maximum fee for a kindergarten is 254 euros, the minimum is 23 euros per month. Kindergartens in Finland accept children from 9 months to 7-8 years. And from the age of 6 they begin to prepare for school for free. Sometimes there are not enough places in kindergartens, and then the state pays an additional 500 euros monthly to the family so that one of the parents stays at home with the child. In Finnish kindergartens there are (by law) 4 children per kindergarten teacher, so kindergarten groups are usually small.

It must be said that Finnish school education is constantly attracting increased interest from the world community. The fact is that Finnish schoolchildren show impressive results in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). In 2000 and 2003, Finland not only took first place in this “competition”, but was also the only European country among the leaders. To understand the reasons for such success, you need to dig deep into the depths.

Education in Finland starts from preschool age. And it begins in the nursery, where children aged 3 to 6 years go. In general, a lot of attention is paid to the preschool education system in Finland. First of all, preschool educational institutions must prepare the child for school.

The second level of the education system in Finland is basic school, where a child studies from 7 to 16 years old (not much different from the situation in Russia, don’t you think?). But then the differences begin. Firstly, there are no exams in Finnish schools. Even graduations. Secondly, differentiation of teaching, highlighting some subjects and their in-depth study to the detriment of others is not encouraged. Third, there are no “elite” classes. In general, the private school sector in Finland is insignificant. The Finnish Ministry of Education is pursuing a policy of equalizing the education system - this means that education should be the same everywhere and for everyone, both in content and accessibility. The policy of equalization comes close to the geographical problem. The fact is that, according to this educational paradigm, the density of schools throughout the country should be the same. Which causes certain difficulties in sparsely populated areas of the country - for example, in the north - in Lapland. It seems that the population is small, but there should be no fewer schools than in the much more densely populated central part of the country.

Interesting fact: it turns out that school buildings in Finland are designed by the country's leading architects, and the opinions of the students themselves (high school) and their parents are taken into account, so Finnish schools do not look like barracks or hospitals. As in any other European school, the approach to classes is individual, i.e. Each child must find his own way. Two teachers work in one class at the same time - this takes the load off each of them and greatly simplifies and speeds up the decision-making process. After each lesson, students can tell what they were able to understand and what they didn’t. Moreover, misunderstanding of the subject is not considered the child’s fault, but is recognized as a teacher’s shortcoming in designing the knowledge delivery system.

In Finland there is a tradition according to which children are sent to the nearest school. Previously, it was generally prohibited for parents to independently choose a school for their child, and only in recent years has this ban been lifted. However, most parents do not bother themselves with unnecessary searches, preferring to send their children to the school closest to their place of residence.

And only at the third stage of education do Finns have the right to choose who they should actually study for, and most importantly, where? The choice is small: either a vocational school or a gymnasium. Currently, there are 441 gymnasiums (with a total number of students of 130 thousand people) and 334 vocational schools (with a total number of students of 160 thousand) in Finland. Just as in the case of schoolchildren, in the case of students, the state takes care of the full provision of students: they are paid for food, textbooks and travel to home. Actually, gymnasiums and vocational schools are the essence of high school.

At the age of 19, schooling in Finland ends completely. Upon completion, yesterday's schoolchildren take the matriculation - the first, only and last - national exam. Its importance is difficult to assess, because it plays practically no role for admission to universities. Admission is guaranteed only by successfully passing the entrance exams at the university itself. Moreover, the organization of entrance exams falls entirely on universities. At this stage, the difference between gymnasiums and vocational schools becomes clear. Graduates of the former, as a rule, enter universities, graduates of the latter - into institutes. This does not mean that graduates of vocational schools cannot enter universities - there are no formal restrictions on this - these are just statistics. Speaking of statistics, only no more than a third of school graduates continue their education in higher educational institutions.

Higher education in Finland has its own characteristics. To begin with, unlike Russia, there is no private sector here as such. The country's few commercial universities are under the full control of the Finnish Ministry of Education and receive government subsidies. There is no secondary education in Finland. This significantly facilitates the process of transition for Finland to the Bologna model for unifying the status of higher education institutions. However, previously there were secondary specialized educational institutions here, but now the status of most of them (if not all) is equal to higher educational institutions.

In general, the higher education system in Finland is very unique. As we have already noted, there are 29 universities in Finland. In addition to them, there is the Higher School of Defense, although it operates outside the Ministry of Education, but has university status. Finnish polytechnics, like their counterparts in Germany and France, have a practical bent. The educational process in them includes professional and labor practice.

There is no need to confuse universities and professional schools. The former conduct fundamental scientific research and have the right to award bachelor's and master's degrees. Here you can defend your doctoral dissertation, and before it, receive the title of licentiate - an intermediate scientific title between master and doctor (it is unknown in any other country in the world; to a first approximation, it can be considered an analogue of a Russian candidate for doctor of science). Professional universities (often called polytechnics or polytechnics) do not provide all this. Except that recently polytechnics have begun to issue master's degrees, which was not the case before. But even earlier - in 2002 - they were allowed to conduct postgraduate training of specialists. The only thing that unites both professional higher education institutions in Finland and universities is their uniform location throughout the country.

Currently, the following areas of education are most popular among Finnish polytechnic students: technology and transport, management and business, healthcare. Higher education in the field of tourism and culture is also attractive to young people. Education at polytechnics lasts 3.5-4 years.

Higher education in Finland is conducted mainly in Swedish and Finnish, but there is already an education program in English - mainly for foreign students. It is clear that if you plan to receive higher education in Finland in English, you will need to speak it perfectly - otherwise you will simply not be allowed to study. To confirm your English language skills, you must pass one of two possible tests: IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). What is noteworthy is that the second is more often used when an international student enrolls in educational institutions in the United States or Canada, while the first is a standard test for any student whose native language is not English.

Material on the topic

Education in Finland: personal experience of a Russian student at the Saimaa University of Applied Sciences

A student at the Saimaa University of Applied Sciences (Lappeenranta) Ekaterina Antipina told the eFinland.ru portal about how the Finnish higher education system differs from the Russian one, how the educational process works in the International Business program and why the practical approach to learning has more advantages than disadvantages.

Education in Finland, including higher education, is free (including for foreign students). Overall, state participation in financing the higher education system in Finland is estimated at 72%. However, a student of a higher educational institution still needs a certain amount of cash. Firstly, 600-900 euros per month is enough for accommodation and food. And, secondly, for mandatory membership in student unions, in the amount of 45-90 euros. However, this rule does not apply to all areas of training of future specialists, bachelors and masters. For example, the MBA course at the Helsinki School of Economics is paid - only some 18 thousand euros...

In order to enter a Finnish university, a foreigner must not only successfully pass the entrance exams, but also confirm his financial situation and successfully pass exams for knowledge of one of the acceptable languages - Finnish or Swedish (English for admission to international programs). Foreigners are also required to have completed secondary education. Some Finnish universities introduce quotas for the admission of foreign students.

You need to understand that higher education in Finland, conducted according to international programs, may be narrower than a similar education, but conducted in Finnish. For example, the already mentioned Helsinki School of Economics honestly admits that the set of subjects in the international business specialty taught in English is smaller than the subjects in a similar program taught in Finnish.

In total, about 6-7 thousand international students study in Finland annually (versus 250-300 thousand of our own). Universities are the most popular among both foreign and local students - they accept from 60 to 70% of students. Accordingly, 30-40% of students study at polytechnics. Moreover, foreign students choose universities more often than Finns do.

It is not difficult to see how complex and developed the education system in Finland is. It is surprising that this northern country takes care of foreign students - after all, for them, higher education in Finland remains free.

Recently, Scandinavian countries have become a priority for obtaining both secondary and higher education among children and their parents, as well as applicants from the CIS. One such country with a lot of educational opportunities is Finland. Many future students and pupils are concerned about the question - what is the education system in Finland and how accessible is it?

steps

The Finnish educational system consists of three levels:

Primary education - implies completion of preschool and school institutions;
Second stage – school or college;
Higher education – passing through institutes and universities.

Primary education

Pre-school education in Finland begins only when the child is 6 years old. Children learn through play all the necessary skills they will need at school.

Real education begins at the age of 7, when children go to primary school or lyceum. If we talk about the state standard, then school education in the country is free, and for foreign citizens too. Meals here are also free, the school year begins in August.
From the 3rd grade, active learning of the English language begins, and then, if desired, you can choose elective classes to study a second foreign language.

The process of studying in a comprehensive school lasts 9 years. The system for evaluating students is 10 points.

Education for children in Finland lasts the same amount of time as in other modern European countries. For this reason, many Russian parents seek to give their children education abroad, due to its accessibility and prestige. It is impossible to ignore the professional work of highly qualified specialists.

Video about preschool education in Finland

Second stage of education

After a Finnish student receives basic education at school, he can act according to his choice: undergo vocational education and then work in his specialty or study at a college/gymnasium. The first case involves visiting specialized vocational schools or schools for training; in the second, maximum effort will be required, since the training is complex. Selection for vocational schools is based on the student’s academic performance. After vocational school, where training lasts from one to four years, you can go to work in your specialty.

After studying at a gymnasium or college, you must pass state exams in the Finnish language (or Swedish), the second state language of Finland, in a chosen foreign language, as well as in mathematics or a humanities discipline (to choose from).

Video about school education in Finland

Vocational education system

Higher education

There are two options for obtaining higher education in Finland. These are universities and higher professional schools. Universities, special institutes, the number of such institutions is about 20. Universities are more focused on scientific and research work, but higher schools place more emphasis on connecting the economic and business life of a particular region. Higher schools are more suitable for those who wish to obtain a European diploma in Finland. Teaching is carried out in Swedish and Finnish, but there are international programs that are gaining momentum in their development every year. In general, the higher education system in Finland is simple and accessible to everyone, so it’s easy to go in search of European quality knowledge.

Finnish education for Russians

In Finland there is a school at the Russian Embassy, it will give children an excellent education and help them realize their potential. This school has its own rich history and traditions, they will help make children's dreams come true.
The school is an excellent educational center for children of any age and serves as an excellent option for full development. This is a primary school in Finland where children are taught development and basic knowledge. In addition, foreign citizens from Russia can receive secondary and higher education in Finland.

For children on vacation

In addition to all the opportunities presented, there is a decent education system for children during the holidays.

Only highly qualified professionals will work with school-age children, regardless of whether they are students in a Finnish secondary school or just come for the holidays.
The entire training program is consistent with the Russian program; many Finnish educational institutions offer additional courses for children where they can improve or start learning Finnish from scratch. Older children can also visit a college in Finland, where they will learn a lot of new and interesting things, and the younger generation will attend a special school with interesting extracurricular activities that they will enjoy.

Free higher education

To enter, you will have to take exams and have a fairly high passing score due to the competition. In addition, you can try training programs in English, many of which are free. In order to study in such a program, you need to provide your certificate, and the higher the score, the better. It is also necessary to confirm the availability of financial means to live in the country. And, of course, you must speak English.
In addition to higher education, you can find some colleges in Finland for Russians, where you can get all the necessary knowledge for free - basic, additional, which will allow each student to find his place and enjoy the knowledge acquired.