Each country has its own educational system based on specific socio-political, economic and cultural elements. Two conclusions can be drawn from this statement. First of all, it is impossible to choose the perfect functioning system.
However, there are countries that have managed to develop extremely efficient education systems. This is the case of Finland. Finnish education is the subject of this interview with Finland’s ambassador to Romania, E.S. Mrs. Marjut Akola, for the online publication EdPost.
Secondly, it is unlikely that an educational system from one country and implemented in another would function identically.
Nevertheless, I think it is extremely useful to pay attention to what is happening around us and to adapt those elements that add value to education.
Overview of the Finnish Educational System
Oana Voicu: How did you manage to build one of the most effective and productive education system in the world?
Marjut Akola: The high quality of the Finnish education system is based on a clear national vision that people are the nation’s most important asset. Part of our identity is a trust in education and power of knowledge as the prime driver of the country’s success. Furthermore, there has been a joint political will to invest in education. The share of the public funding in Finland has been one of the highest among the OECD countries over the years. Finland is an excellent example of benefits of a long-term strategic planning with the aim of developing and implementing a comprehensive and high-level education system. I would also underline the notion of the Finnish education offering everyone equal opportunities to study, regardless of social and financial background, and a place they live.
Oana Voicu: What are the main challenges now in the Covid-19 era?
Marjut Akola: Schools have been open most of time during the Covid-19 pandemic, except during the lock-down in Spring 2020. It was rather smooth for Finnish schools to jump into home schooling in March 2020 because the digital skills of the population, including teachers and pupils are high. It was also easy to switch into an online school due to the fact that the Finnish education is was largely digitalized with different kind of digital platforms and tools already used before the pandemic. Having said this, it does not mean that we don’t have challenges related to the ongoing the pandemic. One of the main concerns, in general, is a long-term impact of the pandemic on mental well-being and health of pupils and students.
Oana Voicu: What is the level of technology used in classroom activities?
Marjut Akola: The Finnish curriculum strongly emphasizes the use of digital material, applications and devices in all subjects. Books and written material are to some extent still used, in particular, in the pre-primary and in the basic education (7-12 years old) but increasingly less and less in higher levels including in the upper secondary education. The Finnish matriculation examination has been digital since 2019.
Oana Voicu: What is the ratio between private and public enrolment? What would the Romanian people or other countries have to learn from the Finnish educational system? What makes it special?
Marjut Akola: As regards to higher education, there are 22 universities of applied sciences and 13 universities in Finland operating as public limited companies, as foundations or corporations under public law.
Contrary to universities whose basic task is to engage in scientific research and provide higher level of education, universities of applied sciences have a close connection to working life and regional development. They are tasked with providing education for professional expert tasks that is based on the requirements of working life and its development, as well as, of research, innovation and arts.
There are private schools in Finland but they adhere the same objectives, admission principles and standards as the public schools.
I would say that the main philosophy behind the Finnish education is a child-centred approach and a lifelong learning. Needs of a child are at the centre of all planning and doing. No one is left behind. If a child needs additional support due to e.g. the learning difficulties, specialized teachers are available. We are living in a complex and demanding world surrounded with a constant change and social media. Therefore, the focus of the Finnish education system is on problem-oriented learning, critical thinking, developing communicational skills and improving multi-literacy. Schools need to prepare young people for meeting future opportunities and challenges in working places.
Oana Voicu: Are there any national educational programs on roll? How are they influencing the overall education?
Marjut Akola: The Finnish government decides on general objectives and division of hours between the subjects taught in early, basic and upper secondary education. Based on these objectives, the Finnish National Agency for Education under the Ministry of Education and Culture decides on the national core curriculum followed by the local curricula by municipalities. Ultimately, schools prepare their own individual plans. Schools, namely headmasters and teachers have a lot of autonomy in recruiting teachers, choosing teaching methods and learning materials.
Oana Voicu: How is the private sector involved into education?
Marjut Akola: The Finnish education system is mainly operated and funded by public sector but there is a close cooperation between private and public sector in this field. As I mentioned before, there are different kind of private schools, and also universities with private ownership. In addition, private companies are e.g. producing teaching materials, games and digital learning platforms. There are also a number of Finnish companies specialised in offering the Finnish educational expertise and models abroad.
Oana Voicu: What is your opinion about the future of education?
Marjut Akola: Digitalisation including artificial intelligence affects greatly the education by changing learning and teaching processes. I believe that virtual learning and self-learning accelerated by the pandemic will remain. First and foremost, the future education should support a mental and physical well-being of children and ensure the joy of learning. Secondly, the education should meet the expectations of business.
Why to study in Finland?
Higher Education
Oana Voicu: Why a Romanian or any foreigner student choose Finland?
Marjut Akola: Finland is known throughout the world for its high-quality education. Finnish professors and teachers are professionals both academically and pedagogically. In Finnish universities the students are allowed to self-design their university path, with a lot of flexibility in minor subjects, optional courses, exchange studies and internships. Finnish student culture is vibrant and unique with its own traditions, such as the classic ‘student overalls’ and Vappu festivities in the spring. There are also some traditional events such as “sitsit” which are organized throughout the year. These events are about students gathering to have dinner while singing different traditional drinking songs.
For Romanians, the process of applying is easy, as Romania is an EU country. There is minimal bureaucracy. You only need an EU citizen’s right of residence, which can be obtained easily. There are also no tuition fees.
Oana Voicu: What are the options for applicants who do not know Finland?
Marjut Akola: There are several options for those interested in studying in Finland. Universities and Universities for Applied Sciences offer hundreds of programmes in Finnish, Swedish and English around the country. There is more info available e.g. on https://www.studyinfinland.fi/ and https://opintopolku.fi/konfo/en/.
Oana Voicu: Is it required to pass entrance examinations?
Marjut Akola: This depends on the programme and on the university. Usually, when applying for a bachelor’s programme you will need to pass an entrance examination. When it comes to master’s degrees you will need to have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Whether or not a separate entrance examination is required for a master’s degree depends on the programme and it can be checked on the university website.
Oana Voicu: What is the legal status of foreign students in Finland?
Marjut Akola: If your studies in Finland take longer than 90 days you will need a residence permit for your studies. The Finnish Immigration Service will grant foreign students a residence permit for studies, if you have been accepted to study at a higher education institution or some other educational institution in Finland.
Oana Voicu: Is the education in Finland free for international students?
Marjut Akola: Yes, if you are from an EU/EEA country. If you’re outside of the EU/EEA area, you have to pay a tuition fee, the cost of which varies between 4000/ 18000 euros depending on the university and the programme.
Oana Voicu: What opportunities does the diploma provide to graduates?
Marjut Akola: Degrees from Finnish institutions are highly appreciated both in Finland and abroad. It is not uncommon for students in Finland to already enter working life before graduating. There are also several opportunities for PhD studies in all fields. Finland is an innovative country with several success stories in academia and business life.
Oana Voicu: Is it possible to stay and work in Finland after graduation in university/college?
Marjut Akola: When you have found a job, you can apply for a new residence permit for work on the basis of a degree completed in Finland or on the basis of research completed in Finland. If you are not yet employed, you can apply for a residence permit to look for work or to start a business. If you don’t have a job right after graduating, all graduates of Finnish Universities are able to apply for an extension of their residence permit for a maximum of one year to look for a job.
Oana Voicu: What are tuition fees and cost of living in the country compared to other European countries?
Marjut Akola: EU/EEA citizens study in Finland without tuition, they only have to pay 60-110 euros per academic year to the Student Union of their university.
Cost of living in Finland is high compared to the EU average, although less than e.g. in Norway or Iceland. This also varies between different areas in the country. However, the quality of products, services and housing is usually high. If you have a home municipality in Finland, you are also entitled to use the public services, such as low-cost healthcare.
Oana Voicu: What is the cost of renting an accommodation in Finland?
Marjut Akola: Depends on the city in question. In smaller student cities, such as Joensuu or Rovaniemi, you may find a studio flat near the city centre for less than 500 euros a month. In Helsinki, the same amount of money might just get you a room in a shared apartment further from the centre. However, there are associations that provide students with affordable housing in all major student cities.
Oana Voicu: How do students spend their leisure time in Finland?
Marjut Akola: There are multiple different student organizations and activities in all student cities. University faculties have associations based on the subject you study and they organize tutoring and events for students. There are also associations based on the area where you are originally from, as well as associations for sports, music and all kinds of hobbies. Several different kinds of festivities are organized throughout the academic year.
Vocational education
Oana Voicu: Do you have international programs for educational exchange in this field?
Marjut Akola: There are opportunities for English-taught vocational education in Finland. Vocational education in Finland provides great capabilities for working life. There are opportunities to do an educational exchange within international programs in different fields.
General information about Finland and education
Oana Voicu: How would you describe the Finnish culture for a kid in a few words?
Marjut Akola: Christmas is coming. This means that Santa Claus, his team and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer are very busy in order to bring presents to children all over the world, including to Romania. Have you already written to Santa Claus?
Oana Voicu: How did the Finnish culture influence the evolution of the educational system?
Marjut Akola: Good education has always been highly praised in Finnish society and therefore, children have been encouraged to study and learn. Finland is known as a country of no class or regional differences with equal opportunities for everyone to have a high-level education and access to well-being and good living. This is also one of those reasons why Finns are the happiest nation in the world. Secondly, I would consider reading which is very popular hobby in Finland as one of the reasons positively affected our educational system. Over 20 million books are sold in Finland every year and most homes subscribe at least one newspaper.
Oana Voicu: How important are libraries to Finnish people?
Marjut Akola: Libraries are Finns’ living rooms. There are 854 public libraries in Finland. In 2018, there was a total of 50 million visits to library and 1.9. million items borrowed in a country with 5.5 million population.
Oana Voicu: Do you have Finnish books translated?
Marjut Akola: There are Finnish books translated in Romanian, and more books on the way. I am personally very pleased that children’s books have been recently translated. I encourage the Romanian publishing houses to translate more e.g. Finnish children’s books and crime stories.
Oana Voicu: Can you tell us a few words about the way in which do you see the importance of reading for children?
Marjut Akola: Reading is important because it enhances children’s imagination and improves their cognitive and communication skills. Reading also helps children to concentrate and to understand better their lives and the world around.
Oana Voicu: How does Finland train its teachers?
Marjut Akola: All Finnish teachers must have a Master’s degree. At grades 1-6, class teachers teaching subjects have a Master of Arts degree with emphasis on pedagogical skills. At grades 7-9 and in the upper secondary schools, teachers have a Master’s degree in the subject in question and completed pedagogy studies.
Oana Voicu: What would be the keywords for Finnish education?
Marjut Akola: Child-centred approach, lifelong learning and highly educated teachers.
Oana Voicu: How is the Finnish educational system structured?
Marjut Akola: The Finnish education system consists of the early childhood education (0-6y), the pre-primary education, the nine-year basic education (7-17y), upper secondary education either general upper secondary education or vocational education and training and higher education. Adult education is available at all levels. Compulsory education starts with comprehensive schools and ends at the age of 18.
Oana Voicu: How is the assessment of the students’ knowledge made?
Marjut Akola: As a general rule, the assessment is made in a way that tests the student’s comprehension of the overall picture in a specific subject, instead of testing their ability to memorize small details. For this reason, multiple choice assessment is rarely used.
The methods of assessment depend on the level of education and the school subject in question. Apart from regular exams, also spoken-word exams, essays, group projects, self-assessment, continuous assessment and peer review are used. Usually, some type of mixture of these are used when giving the final assessment. Teachers have a lot of autonomy to choose the best way of assessment for their students. They are also encouraged to evaluate the students’ knowledge through various criteria, not just through exams. Grades are given on the scale of 4-10.
The only national-level assessment is the matriculation examination at the end of upper secondary school (age 18-19). On university level, especially essays, learning diaries and exams are used.
Oana Voicu: How are the principles of “Lifelong Learning” and “Free Education” implemented in education?
Marjut Akola: There is a strong adult education and versatile opportunities for lifelong learning in Finland at all levels of education. There are no “dead-ends” in our education system and there is a number of different paths to upgrade the competencies from general upper secondary education to adult education in higher education institutions and labour market training.