Finland's education success

When it comes to international results, Finland's schools score consistently at the top.
However, pupils study the fewest number of class hours in the developed world.
The BBC travels to Helsinki to find out the secret of the Finns' education success.

• Category

  Education

[mromake1]

The point is they do, they have immigrants, low-income families, etc., and everyone is taught equally - there are NO private schools at all, there is no competition and no standardised testing system (like SATs / GCSEs) And yet they are ranked #1 in the world for education.

Their ranking was carefully analysed to include all scores. This is not just one special or elite school... this is the whole country that has this system.

I think we should learn from it, not look for the 'catch' or fault'

[A Paps]

hmmm....education is a respected profession...education is not used for political ends....education is to be accessed equally for all...and the kicker...NO STANDARD TESTS. Well America, our "exceptionalism" has been humbled...

[Caroline Barth]

I'd like to go to Finland to get my Master's (I'm currently a college sophomore, and wish I could go there now but the transfer process would be basically impossible for an international student) because of the free tuition. Even though living there would be expensive, I added up the costs and a year of living there equals a year's worth of tuition at a public US university, so why not? Free, excellent schooling and an opportunity to travel? Sounds like a good deal to me.

[Ian Mallon]

are you a teacher

[James Connolly]

That English teacher has the perfect English accent. If I heard her speak I'd she was English. I'm American not English though, so I might not be as fine-tuned for it, but to me she sounds completely English.

[Glacilus Herr]

Can all Finest Teacher speak English? So increadible!

[exxinferis24]

one more example of a shitty educational system

Who are you Sarah Palin?

[exxinferis24]

this lesson the world will never learn

[Maru Laari]

The fact that finland's education system is great is a whole different thing than your decline towards studying

[FinnishPagan]

True!

[TheFalloutfree]

Also, the teachers have the freedom. This is helpful in so many ways!

[TheFalloutfree]

I want my school to be like that. Michael Gove wants our education to be more like China's. Certainly, they get better results, but the stress on the students is horrendous, and to some, proves fatal. The way things are taught are fantastic there, lots of teachers, relaxed kids, and, they know how to learn.