Finnish National Agency for Education

The Finnish National Agency for Education focuses on evidence-based research, core curricula, qualifications, services for learners, and international issues in regards to education. It is located in Hakaniemi, close to the city center and relatively close to my Airbnb. It was simple to find, especially using Google Maps. Arriving to the agency, I was greeted by an adviser. She led me to a conference room and began to explain all of the features of the Finnish education system. She highlighted education in for each phase of life, from early childhood to adulthood.

Finland used to be a poor society until it decided to invest in education. The current system does not have any dead ends. Free education, transportation, and school lunches grants citizens the equal opportunity to learn and achieve their goals. The education system is publicly run by the the Ministry of Education and the Finnish National Agency for Education, along national and local municipalities. However, it thrives because of the developed partnership between the national government, local institutions, research bases, stakeholders, medical personnel, teachers, parents, and students. Patience, cooperation, and trust are the keys to creating an effective educational system. Giving local municipalities independence is important. Balancing the national and community responsibilities provides responsibility to all levels of the education system. The national government emphasizes priorities, minimum time allocation, the size of state subsidies, and national core curriculum. Local professionals create local curricula, allocate the subsidies, determine class sizes, recruit, devise teacher evaluations, and quality assurance. The national government does not inspect the local schools and agencies because of the trust built between them.

As displayed by the schools I visited, children are encouraged to be children in Finland. Children are not involved in a compulsory program till the age of six, but basic education begins at the age of seven. This beginning phase mostly involves learning by playing. However, as the child grows, they are given less play time and more instruction. Basic education ends for children around the age of 16. It is at this age where children are first required to take a standardized test if they wish to continue their education. These adolescents can either choose to enroll in a general upper secondary school or follow a vocational route that is followed by years of work experience. After secondary education, students can pursue their Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees. The universities are broken up into two groups, general universities and universities of applied science.

Finland contains 5.5 million people. Most individuals are either Finnish or Swedish. Approximately 6.2% have a foreign background. According to the adviser, this percentage has been growing. There has been an influx of immigrants, especially those who are fleeing their poverty-stricken countries. In order for these individuals to receive the same benefits as Finnish citizens, they must acquire the legal documents that integrate them into the municipality. Finland is working to ensure that foreigners and their children, especially those who are asylum-seeking, are supported and obtaining assistance.

Finland's reformation of the education system was one of the many policies implemented that grew the country's economic wealth. Investing in the health, development, education, and well-being of its citizens, Finland has managed to produce an adaptive, innovative labor force that is motivated by personal passion, hope, and progress for the community and the world.