American Reacts to Finnish Schools Being the BEST

[@kathrinkaefer]

I immigrated to Finland and I feel lucky that my son will get to have his education here. Currently, he is in the public daycare and it has a similar quality when it comes to meals, highly educated staff and meaningful activities for the children. I think there is hardly a better use of taxes than investing in young people and ensuring a well-educated population.

[@lolsaXx]

I'm from Scotland but live on Åland now. I feel the same. My eldest is about to start school after the summer and is very exited.

[@onanisland5527]

A Finn here. We pay that all in taxes. Education (up to the masters degree), heath care, etc. That´s the Nordic system, the best in the world.

[@grangegorman34mikmik66]

Totally agree. Big Business is too powerful in the rest of Europe.

[@dockingtroll6801]

@@grangegorman34mikmik66 Free education and free healthcare is the same in all of the european union....

[@KeesBoons]

@@dockingtroll6801 No, it's not.

[@dockingtroll6801]

@@KeesBoons So which EU country does not have free education and free healthcare for it´s citizens..??

[@ile222]

@@KeesBoonscould you name some examples please?

[@kotkaconforza]

School lunch system is one of the greatest things in the world. When I was a kid there wasn't always food at home, but in the school year at least I knew I always had food at school. The school was a real safe place otherwise unsafe situation.

[@ollierinko9387]

Another Finn here. Schools as a whole aren't allowed to do fundraisers, but individual classes may (and do) fundraise for class-events (like a field trip, etc)

[@Finkele1]

we went to greece bc fundraiser...government doesn't pay your trip to somewhere. Well back when is was in what is in usa junior high, in finland we had trip every spring. Whole greece thing went bit south bc we drank like mf's and so on...Rebel years and metal.

[@KennethRotheramUK]

How do teachers contribute to national curriculum development?

[@ollierinko9387]

@@KennethRotheramUK There's EDUFI (Finnish National Agency for Education) that's responsible for early childhood education and care, pre-primary, basic, general and vocational upper secondary education, as well as adult education and training. Higher education is the responsibility of Ministry of Education and Culture instead. The agency draws up the national *core* curricula for basic and upper secondary general education, and set the national requirements for vocational qualification structure. The agency board is appointed by the government, any other staff is hired by the board out of applicants. Absolutely *no* clue on the requirements of the applications, but.. I'd assume multiple years of teaching experience :D

[@jonttul]

@@Finkele1 Mitä vittua? Miten te pääsitte Kreikkaan jollain luokkaretkellä? Meidän ainoa luokkaretki oli Suomen saaristoon.

[@Finkele1]

@@jonttul Kerättiin rahaa koko vuosi sitä varten.

[@niklasleppanen9899]

I am a teacher here in Finland and I can say that what I care about the most in my job is that I make the students willing and happy to learn 😊 and brave enough to use the things they have learned in their own lives.. I’m trying to help them to live a nice life 👨‍🏫

[@FinntegrationSociety]

I worked in a Finnish primary school for a while. The difference between Divided States schools and those here are palpable. Starting with the FOOD. Finnish students eat their meals on PLATES, using cutlery, and actual glasses . . . you know, like human beings. In the DSA, students eat off of "prison style" plastic trays, the only difference being that prisoners only have four compartments on their tray, while students get FIVE. At this PRIMARY ("elementary") school, there were also VOCATIONAL programs. That's right, Finnish CHILDREN are learning to use tools and sewing machines, how to craft, draw plans . . . you know, MAKE STUFF. They worked with metal, fabric, wood, and art. These are all programs that USED to exist in the DSA at the SECONDARY school level, but once they shipped all the JOBS away, there was no need for students to learn any "trades," so those programs were eliminated. Finnish children are orderly, well-mannered, and polite. They listen to their teachers AND other adults. Discipline problems are RARE and unusual. Teaching is a respected profession here, and misbehaving students are not tolerated or coddled, by teachers OR parents. And here is the BEST part. The average amount spent per student is still LESS than it is in many school districts in the DSA. How is this possible? I don't know, it's a real Scooby Doo mystery, for sure. Better ask the third assistant principle's assistant where all the money goes. Just don't expect them to know.

[@Real-Name..Maqavoy]

Yeah we also teach Children in *Sweden, Denmark & Norway* to use Machines such as (Sewing, Home improvement, and use of Computers early) 1. To see which are your likes and dislikes. 2nd. Good qualitys to teach incase they gotta DIY in future & need to adapt due to Home situations. 3rd. Its a *Quality of life* to be prepared for the Adulthood. Its a fairly unique thing now that I think about it, of our Nordic School systems.

[@Pietruska17]

@@Real-Name..Maqavoy How do you know what they teach in every couyntry?

[@squidcaps4308]

Lack of vocational studies in all school levels in USA is not about shipping jobs away, per se. It is about the focusing too much on STEM and lack of funds. The system is built for the 1%, basically, and treating about every kid as a future millionaire in high paying job. Anything else is considered a failure in the society that is hyperindividualistic and materialistic. Finnish mentality is a bit different, the purpose of school is to prepare kids for the life ahead, this is why there is more width than depth. The whole structure is a bit different, with many subjects being taught at gymnasium, which does not exist in USA. Also, it is now the law in Finland that you have to study until you are 18, the idea there being that EVERY kid goes either to gymnasium or vocational school. But... those who are not aware, the direction Finland is heading is NOT GREAT. It is plausible to see private schools appearing as funds are cut while there is now extra two years we have to provide.. Vocational school reform has been a fucking disaster, you can't expediate that process and expect young adults to be ready for work in their fields that require WAY more than when i was in school. For ex my field, electronics engineering had the bare minimum of digital in 1991. It was really relaxed pace, compared to how much stuff i've had to learn just to be able to do the basic stuff.. 3 years is enough time, but the pace should still be more intensive to cover everything necessary. I learned how to fix CRTs and transistor radios, and how to goof off effectively... Now there is extra requirements in about every field, your plumber these days has to know a lot more than just to solder pipes. Digital stuff is everywhere, it makes the work quality and efficiency go way up but someone has to teach you how to use them... and you still need the basic stuff, the principles and the foundation that everything else is based on and that needs to be in your "spine", it needs to become a way of thinking, not just knowledge. The need for private companies to train them to suit them is there, but private companies ABSOLUTELY ARE NOT doing their part. Which is why we have fair amount of unemployed people with some degree in fields that have too few workers. The experience gap is something that capitalist system can't or don't want to fix, which is understandable: they all want someone else to use resources for things that do not produce any direct profit but is just a loss, for a while. So, Finnish education is in crisis and none of the right wing solutions are going to fix it, but only make it worse. Austerity should NEVER cut funding from education but that is exactly what the group of fucking sociopaths want to do to just to RUIN the public system and replace it with for-profit ideological bullshit. Sorry for the rant but it just pisses me off that Finns still are so fucking blind of what is happening, and how it is NOT to make us better but to make the system ideologically more compatible for rising inequality and exploitation to levels that are not compatible with the whole concept of Finland.

[@pekkajarvinen69]

@@Pietruska17 all nordics have similar school system, we teach useful skills for everyday life among other things. Knowing how to repair or just make stuff from scrap is incredibly useful during your lifespan. I've been known to make machinery, tools, how to make fire, shelter, even simple insulated cabin if needed. All that i learned from school. I think everyone should know this stuff, it's not that hard.

[@user-ls1bw2uw1j]

American kids don't use plates??

[@formatique_arschloch]

As a Finn, I miss the school food so much. It was really good and healthy food. I'm 45 now so I have to pay for my food now😂 But I'm happy to pay taxes so my kids can also have good food when they're in school. Happy that all kids no matter how wealthy or poor their parents are, get the same. We all pay taxes...it's just a matter of how the money is used.

[@nelltheretrogamer]

Finn here. Our school system goes back all the way to 1865, when legislators decided to create a school system that would cover the whole country and every child would attend it, regardless of social class or gender. That was a very advanced idea for its time. One big difference between the U.S. and Finland is that when Americans are asked about their education, they often say which schools they went to, but don't necessarily say what degree they have or what subjects they studied. In Finland it's the other way around, no-one here cares which schools you went to because there aren't any big differences between them. That applies to universities, too. Note that the little girl who works at the school cafe already knows English well enough to serve a customer in English.

[@Narangarath]

However, attending school only became mandatory in the early 1920's after we got our independence and until the 70's (with the school reform), the school system was divided into a basic education of 6 years (kansakoulu) that was mandatory, a middle portion (oppikoulu, that would be more or less modern high school level) you had to pass rather strict exams to attend but would allow you to pursue education in trades etc, and a college level (lukio) that most people wouldn't pursue, but was a hugely major deal (that's why we still wear our funny hats on May 1st, if not for the whole summer) if you had graduated and was required if you wanted to go for academic fields (in university), including teaching.

[@pekkakarppinen1608]

I'm graduated for the university degree of economics about 30 years ago. All my studies were free. I had to take some loan for living, housing an such, but l paid them back decades ago. Now l'm in my sixties and still working. All my debts are paid and l'm free to look the retirement some time near future. I sincerely thank the Finnish education system for the opportunity for the so mediocre individiual like me. Thanks! ⛄👍

[@Hatarkian]

Yes, the lunches are taxpayer funded. They are decent and usually healthy as well.

[@frogslayer6981]

@@Hatarkian They are decent on average. Except the potatoes in some places are made from rubber...

[@Hatarkian]

@@frogslayer6981 That's the healthy part I guess 😄

[@Elaborance]

I think calling them decent is doing a great disservice to the quality of food when you compare it to other countries.

[@Juhani96]

@@frogslayer6981 its still free for pupils, and its not that bad actually :D

[@frogslayer6981]

@@Juhani96 As someone who was in college less then a year ago I'll stand by the statement that those potatoes are made of rubber.

[@pekkajarvinen69]

This has nothing to do about the size of the country or population. This system will work in any population size as long as everyone is in agreement about the use of tax revenue. We have agreed to do it this way, so everyone has the exact same opportunities from the start. There are no "better" schools because teachers must have certain level of education to even apply for the job.

[@nervanderi]

Some might say it´s sosialism or even comm... Bernie Sanders.

[@KeesBoons]

@@nervanderi Don't care what it's being called.

[@nervanderi]

@@KeesBoons In Finland we call it education. Pink Floyd...

[@onerva0001]

​@@nervanderiNo Finn or Nordic would call it that. I doubt other Europeans would either.

[@digitalspecter]

I would even argue that there are several instances where larger populations would benefit from economies of scale.

[@lankakaaos]

Most adult Europeans can speak at least two languages. In Finland many can speak or at least understand rwo or three. Oh and it gets easier to learn new languages when you know few already.

[@SK-nw4ig]

Three languages is the minimum a Finn has to learn in school.

[@Hezeri]

@@SK-nw4ig Yes, and a lot will forget one of them immediately after school 🤣

[@SK-nw4ig]

@@Hezeri Word. Or should I say "ord".

[@jbird4478]

Teachers in the US earn slightly more than teachers in Finland, but that has to be viewed in context. In Finland teachers earn more than people with a tertiary education on average, but in the US teaching pays significantly less than other careers requiring such qualifications. In other words, when you get a masters degree in Finland becoming a teacher is a financially attractive option, but in the US it is a financial sacrifice. Also, in the US teaching requires a bachelor, but there are also various teacher education programs not requiring a degree. That varies by state. In Finland it requires a master degree in education, but for subject teachers (e.g. a math teacher) it requires a master degree in that specific subject _and_ teacher's pedagogical studies.

[@Onnarashi]

Keep in mind that in Finland you have universal healthcare so no monthly insurance bill, you get 20+ paid days of vacation, a year or more of paid parental leave, a free gift set of all essentials for new parents (diapers, crib, clothes), as well as a generous sick leave system.

[@digitalspecter]

@@Onnarashi Well, most workers in Finland get 24-30 paid days of vacation.. teachers get like 50 =)

[@Narangarath]

@@digitalspecter If you think teachers have no work to do over the summer just because there are no classes, you're obviously not very familiar with the profession.

[@digitalspecter]

@@Narangarath I was married to one for 10 years.. I know a thing or two.

[@mike-h5h8p]

@@Narangarath Teachers need the summer to recover. Teaching 30 kids is harder than raising just one or two kids. Yet a lot of parents can't even raise their own one or two children properly.

[@Timonen76]

There has been some discussion since those results have dropped dramatically in few last years; Finland HAD best school system 10-20 years ago. The municipality or city organizes school meals in their area. For example, a central kitchen from which food is delivered to schools.

[@MrTjonke]

Books and other material is also free in Finnish schoolsystem.

[@JustTweetAway]

Yeas we pay taxes here in 🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮 but actually If you do your Math,you Will see that you are paying More taxes then we here in🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮 and you dont get S...

[@evanflynn4680]

It goes beyond not being allowed to charge parents for things in schools. There are no private schools. The law is that you can't charge money for educational services. This makes private schools essentially illegal. The closest you get are special needs schools, and even they are free. The best school for each child is their local public school. The Finnish Head of State would send their kids to the closest school to where they live, just like every other family.

[@onerva0001]

In the 1980's there were a few privately owned schools, has the law changed after that? They had the same curriculum as all the other schools though, I only learned I was in a privately owned school when there was a teachers strike one spring but I had to go to school anyway becouse of course OUR teachers didn't participate (different union or smth).

[@Krispyy431]

There are privately owned schools, according to Wikipedia there are 75 in the whole country. One example is Apollon Yhteiskoulu in Malminkartano, Helsinki which offers primary and secondary level education. You're correct saying that they can't charge money from the students (apart from a few exceptions, like some international schools), they get paid a fixed allowance per student by the city/municipality or an education union of multiple municipalities and hence are publicly funded but they're not operated by those authorities but instead either a (limited) company or an association of some sorts (for example, Helsinki's Christian School is owned and operated by The Helsinki Christian School's support association). Then there's the case of "normal schools" (normaalikoulu) which are the training facilities for teacher students and hence owned by the respective university they operate under. Most universities are statutory corporations (the same as for instance cities and municipalities are) and hence publicly owned, but some (like Aalto university) are private foundations with public funding. This way the schools operating under these universities would technically be classified as private schools. Nonetheless, it's purely an organizational aspect and whether the school is public or private wouldn't show in the curriculum or in any other way to the students or their families most of the time (obviously the christian etc. religion-based schools would be stronger than normal in the religion aspects of education, though)

[@Narangarath]

It's not that there are no private schools, per se, there are just no for-profit schools.

[@pembrokeisland9954]

While countries are different, I think the one universal thing here that everything else is built on, is simply trust. If all the people, from teachers to parents to students to government to tax payers, actually and truly trust each other, you can build a very good system that truly works. It doesn't need to be like the Finnish one, and obviously different countries will have their own tastes and desires in how things should be, but that's the thing: if you have that basic trust as the foundation, you can build your own system on top of that and it will quite likely work very well. That's also basically the entire "secret" of the Finnish education system: everyone can trust everyone else. You asked whether it still is like this. Well, Finland is not immune to the rest of the world. Sad to say but that global trend of politics getting more and more polarized, dirtier, and meaner, is starting to affect us, too. Once you get cracks and divides in your society, that "us v. them" feeling, the basic trust of people to each other, starts crumbling. Whether left or right, does not matter. One side doesn't trust the other, and everything gets viewed politically. Even the schools and the education system get used more and more as tools for the political fighting. And the effects are already starting to show: Finland has dropped in the global ranking in education. Though, it's not yet that bad. Mainly because we still have good teachers and who are holding it together. So, it's still working. Problem is they can't maintain their miracles indefinitely. The solution would be simple: "*Everyone* gets their hands off from the schools and let the teachers do their jobs in the way they, the professionals, think works best. No arguing. Ah-ah, none. *Everyone* now trusts the teachers and shuts up. Period." Alas, seems like it will get worse before we get back into our senses. But that's the thing. Trust. You need that to build a working society. Unfortunately everyone in the world currently seems to have an acute shortage of it...

[@elvwood]

What a great observation. I was thinking "equality", but "trust" and "equality" go hand in hand - I don't think you can have one without the other. If you don't trust others you're going to try and hold on to what you've got "just in case", and if some schools charge but have waaay more resources how can you trust that your child will get as good an education elsewhere? More for me to think about, thanks.

[@Leviwosc]

A Dutchman here. As a European I'm used to good educational systems. But I think we in the Netherlands can also learn a lot from Finland. I like this system and it looks like a great school system. My compliments to my Finnish brothers ands sisters.

[@no_one01-5]

When I was a kid, this school would have been luxurious. We barely had any books in the library, and there was no pingpong or pool tables. Times have changed in Finland. They actually care about kids well being now.

[@eddiec1961]

Good reaction to this one, I can only hope that the politicians in charge of education watch this and find inspiration and help to improve education in their countries.

[@daleynevantaus224]

As a finn who did the basic schools at 70ies and 80ies, I am really happy with the school system. Main reasons for good performance, in my humble opinion (backed up by some studies) are 1. Short days in the beginning. Just 4-5 hours at school per day during first years (age 7-11), with just little homework tasks (growing progressively during years, of course) 2- Schoolday sequencing to 45 minutes classroom/15 minutes break (during which you must go outdoors). shorter class hour helps kids to concentrate in the class and breaks help to release their energy. Outside breaks (play ball, play in general and have fresh air, even in cold winters) are mandatory. 3. School lunch break 45 minutes. Lunch given freely to all, planned healthy and according to nourishments standards, helps kids to keep their energy up and guides them to healthy food habits. You can even have additional portions, if needed. Meals include options for gluten-free, lactose free and possible special needs according to kids. 4. Mandatory sports/exercise class 3-5 hours per week. During exercise hours, kids are thaught several sports, like basic gymnastics, climbing, track and field sports, orientering in the wood with map and compass, basic ball games (soccer/football, basketball, volleyball, floorball) and during winter you learn to ski, skate and play ice hockey. 5. Weekly art classes (music and visual arts) starting already from the first class. From 5th class starts also handicraft classes during which skills like sewing, woodwork, metal work and similar are thought for both boys and girls. Also cooking and house maintenance class is mandatory for all at 7th grade during which you learn to make basic foods and bakery as well as basic house cleaning skills All this helps to keep kids focused. Rather basic things for all of us adults also.. Eat and drink, exercise, have breaks, learn.

[@Snowkobbie]

@@daleynevantaus224 45 min of work followed by a 15 min break - just like football matches. 😉

[@daleynevantaus224]

@@Snowkobbie Not related to football. Just plain and simple research about of children's ability to concentrate to studying and about the fact, that brains work and develop better, when there is breaks and fresh air.

[@esaedvik]

The school system is very much the opposite of Asian countries where they try to cram as much in as young as possible, when they still have their neuroplasticity maxed out. Just absolutely bombard kids with knowledge to create the necessary pathways for learning and muscle memory etc. Here they take it very easy in comparison. Can't even imagine the cutthroat work life out there.

[@irou95]

The thing is that even the shittiest school in worse areas are decent.

[@kathrinkaefer]

My Finnish husband grew up in Kontula (90s-00s) and I was amazed by what he told me about his school. Some of the subjects he studied would only be available at private schools where I come from (UK), for example, Latin. And his English is on par with a native speaker, so they really did something right.

[@leevikaunismaa9652]

And the "shittiest" schools usually get less funding, and I was kinda confused when the dude said they get equal funding, since that simply is not true

[@solokom]

I have the impression that in the US, there is still this “everyone fighting for himself” mentality from the times of the Wild West.

[@killergumbo]

You should definitely watch Michael Moore's film "Where should we invade next", which has a section about Finnish education.

[@ercsey-ravaszferenc6747]

The level of trust, respect and appreciation that the Finns have for their teachers is unfathomable almost anywhere else in the world. I read somewhere that when the responsible department in the Ministry published the national curriculum on some subject, it featured a foreword by the minister herself and it began with the words: "Dear colleague, please read this carefully and then ignore it". They are just confident that their teachers are good enough and they can be fully trusted with what and how to teach.

[@sevilnatas]

Living in Los Angeles, I can tell you that the other big problem is the difference in quality of the education and the amount of money available to schools, varies widely between school districts, let alone between states. Imagine the difference between the quality of education between poor areas of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Both are public schools but both are not equal.

[@KaregoAt]

I've watched a few different reactions to this video and it's always funny how no one mentions how the children are already speaking great English at that age.

[@riccardocoletta2398]

Thanks for the video. VERY interesting... I wish our politicians were interested in learning things like this too to improve our public school in Italy

[@Lorentari]

To be fair - In Finland you pretty much know Finnish and English by default - and Swedish and or Russian is also very common depending on the region.

[@eddys.3524]

Any country could learn a lot from the Finnish education system.. Equal opportunities in society start in school.

[@lkohtala]

Some people here "shop" for better schools(by moving) if they have the option. All schools are created equal, but there are areas where people rather have their child go to school, to have the kids in "right" socioeconomic class, it's not as common as it is there but it happens.

[@mrkukov]

Basically moving to another place is the only option to "select" the school for your children but at the same time those people select to live in that new area ( = leave the old area they did not like). Some schools are in really big trouble since the majority of the students and their parents do not share the finnish way of respect and culture.

[@user-ls1bw2uw1j]

@@lkohtala true, especially in Helsinki and other bigger cities

[@sampohonkala4195]

Not very common and often not even possible in smaller municipalities. However, from grade 9 onwards you must apply for the school to complete grades 10-12. The differences are huge. The top schools require a grade point average even over 9,5 out of 10, meaning the weakest loser is a straight A student, and the rest are better. The level of education gets higher than average, as you can proceed faster and require more.

[@piijala]

Here in Finland everyone speaks 3 languages at least a little, Finnis of course, then English and Swedish. In addition to those people can learn just for fun.

[@EiraAimo]

Equality is so build in our system. Rich kid is getting the same education and hanging out with kid who has single mother working 2 jobs and school lunch can be his/hers only warm meal. And yes, the food is really strickly thought and planned with national health guidelines like how many percent of salt you put in it etc. No deep fried wings, burgers, or cakes. Dessert is usually something like berryquark, fruit salad or similar.

[@TheArseen]

I think one major thing is that teachers here don't have so called iron rod up their rear ends. When I started school in 1986 only two out of ten or so teachers (they were the only real OG ones) insisted to be called mr/mrs/teacher and lastname, and even they relented in few weeks and didn't mind be called by first name (We did call them the OG way least twice a year: At Christmas and when summer break stated). Later years when I started upper grades (7-9) the teachers introduced themselves as Lector + last name but immeadly told us to just use their first names. All teachers acted pretty much like equals with students. But that was back then before cellphones and when class size was less than 20 and parents were not know it all dicks (thus neither were we the kids).

[@dieterradeke4612]

the schools is Finland are proven some of the best schools in the world - regarding the education quality

[@KennethRotheramUK]

Is there still a test at 11 to assess the national language and is it pass/fail? Do pupils get a score. What happens to those who fail?

[@KennethRotheramUK]

Lessons have various activities with a focus on checking that learning has been successful. Teacher talk (passive learning) is balanced by active learning (e.g. reading, summarising, quizzes and questions from the textbook. Problem solving is also common and pupils work individually to solve the problem set. This could involve practical work). The Finnish lesson often ends with a short written test. Peer to peer discussions are sometimes used as this requires reflection about learning and a bright pupil is paired with a less able pupil. Each has to explain what they have learned in the lesson. Homework is very brief. Science theory lessons are balanced by practicals designed to encourage problem solving. Continuous assessment for an older secondary school pupil using a textbook involves a range of assessments:- 1. Attendance and behaviour ...10% 2. Homework ...20% 3. Short tests at the end of each textbook chapter (one page of questions) ...30% 4. An end of term test includes one question from each chapter (or an essay) and an extra ‘problem solving’ question. The latter is very difficult for pupils and it tests the ability to apply a concept in a novel situation ...40%.

[@yorkaturr]

It's always up to the municipality (meaning city) to pay for the schools and therefore school lunches, but the government pays the municipalities out of collected tax money so they can all afford basic services such as schools and healthcare. So that way some cities that are not so well off can survive out of tax money while the big and successful cities end up paying for them.

[@JacobBax]

I think that is a good/normal thing, right? Rich cities support the poorer cities.

[@yorkaturr]

@@JacobBax It's a good thing in principle. Someone needs to pay for education and healthcare. However, it can become a hairy mess in internal politics when politicians try to improve local infrastructure or add local amenities to please their local voters out of the pockets of all taxpayers collectively. We have numerous examples of that in Finland.

[@jyripeltola6677]

I'm Finnish and was born in 97 and the schools were quite different even when you go back 10-20 years. And based on these types of videos, the changes are for the better, but I don't really know, because I don't even have any school age relatives.

[@rami1406]

I think finnish education is like opposition of USA. If I'm right, in USA teachers tell things, and kids just must try to understad and remember things without understanding. In Finland teachers first make kids learn themselves, and by discource make them realize everything. So finnish learn how to use brains, in USA learn how to remember words. Keyword is thinking. But this is only how I see it, I may be wrong.

[@paanikki]

The main excuse for not having a good, functioning school system in America is the enormous size of the country. But it is not the federal government that runs the school system. America consists of 50 states, Each state should be able to develop and run a school system that works best for them. Just cut off 95 percent of the standardised testing and pay decent wages for qulified teachers.

[@riccardocoletta2398]

Minute 12:37 - You got a very important point there. If a teacher is paid very well, he won't look for another job. If teacher are paid bad (like it happens in low grade in Italy), that teacher will leave to get a better job at the first opportunity The only reason a lot of teachers are not leaving the job in Italy is because the very long paid vacation they have (more than 2 months paid vacation plus 11 holiday days, they don't work nearly the entire month of July and August) compared to the minimum paid vacation days by law (22 vacation days and 12 holiday)

[@stanislavbandur7355]

our teachers are at similar circumstances, and I always say - if somebody is a teacher, it is not for money for sure, they probably do it from belief (maybe)

[@puhistagram]

Thanks for your video Heidi. Lot of Finns know at least 3 languages, so teacher with 5 language is not that extreme - although it's nice. How about 2. channel "HailHeidi is learning [some germanic language]" since your native language is from same family it shouldn't be too hard? ,) Take care..

[@Katirin89]

A Finn here. People really have a knack for languages here in the northern europe. Most finnish speak two to three languages. And most know more since it's popular to study languages in high school and in university. I speak finnish and english, little bit of swedish (since it's mandatory to study in here) and some korean. I have studied spanish, french and japanese, so I know some words and sentences but haven't used them in ages so I mostly forgot.

[@eerohorila1109]

"Schools are not allowed to collect money from the parents". Well, that is true now, but it was not allways like that. In the '90s we had a sports day. Skiing at the local ski resort. But, there was a fee your parent(s) had to pay for you to attend. My single mom did not have the money, so I and many other students stayd at school and playd pingpong. Only reason why this does not happen anymore was a lawsuit by a single mom (I think it was in Espoo) claiming if school is free, you cant charge fees for any purpose. She won.

[@elinariihola3788]

Every Finland school has free lunch, know all this because im for Finland

[@ilet3049]

Kids get taught two foreign languages from the get go. Not exactly sure how it works today, but later on you get to choose optional classes. I'm guessing she took the mandatory swedish and english back in the day, and optionally german/french/russian/spanish. The 5th one she must have learned on her own later.

[@AskiFin]

English is at that point second of 3 languages they need to master (obv, first one is Finnish).. but just so you know... this is a publicity piece for foreigners..

[@AHVENAN]

There is a video that compares our school system to that of the US as well, where one of the points they touch on is the difference in wages for teachers, I can't remember what it was called right now otherwise I'd find it and link it. Personally, one of the most moronic things I've heard about the american school system is that teachers pay for supplies for their own classes?! Who is the absolute moron who thought that was a good idea, specially since they're already underpaid....

[@kansaIainen]

I studied to become an art teacher. I speak six languages ​​and worked 35 years as a teacher in a care facility for "special children".

[@erics607]

Teachers in the US need a Bachelors degree in order to teach, but some school districts are allowing teachers to teach if they have some education on what they want to teach because of the shortage. You only need a Masters degree if you want to teach at the university level, or if you want to work as a principal or superintendent.

[@barbenpisse]

Heidi, have you ever thought of using sign language in your videos ? I am quitecertain many of your subcribers have relatives, parents, sibblings with hearing problems who woukd really enjoy and maybe benefit from listening to your channel.

[@MikkoRantalainen]

Every Finn that went to school during last 40 years or so has learned minimum of three languages (two foreign languages in addition to Finnish). I always had trouble with foreign languages so I only had the bare minimum of three languages but most Finns learn 4 or 5 languages before adulthood nowadays.

[@m8t5m26]

All good in Finland Heidi!

[@DoctOrdre-x9u]

Best part of my childhood was when they always stacked up the snow in the edge of the schoolyard, and when the 6th graders always went on top between classes and we us younger kids tried to take it from them and they just threw us down and laughed at us. We never could but i felt such a boss when i finally got to 6th grade and was threw down like 500times and finally got myself to toss them younger kids out of there and was king of the hill! Some of my best friends are year older than me because they respected that we never gave up, we had tactics and all that, throwing snowballs at them before attacking. Always lost anyway but we tried every day. Just like the younger kids tried against us. I wish it was still like that, nowadays kid probably just scroll tiktok between classes.

[@markonikula2611]

Vuorenvalloitusta kasarityyliin.

[@KROB3LO]

And I'm worried if some of my sons's friend need my sons old computer, it's not the high end, but if someone his friends need it...

[@GregRodgers1]

In the US there is one state where students do not not to pass english or maths to graduate and atleast 1 other state that allows someone with less than a bachelors degree in education. The pay also is absolutly terrible in some states which would disincentive a person from choosing a career in teaching.

[@olafthebear2327]

As far as I'm aware, the framework is still the same. Free lunches, time outside playing, teachers decide the learning methods etc. But our kids' school performance has been dropping. It's still pretty decent, but it worries a lot of people. The reasons might be anything from smartphones in classes to teachers having fewer ways to maintain discipline. Everyone has their own opinions about the culprits

[@Kerttis]

also school lunch being free is good for the kids since they dont get to "choose" what they eat, it prevents those parents in the US who give their kids unhealthy food all the time and it continues into adulthood often

I´m another Finn here. Meals in schools used to good and we were encouraged to be honest, truthful and direct. I guess we are too introvert people.

[@MrBanaanipommi]

but. do not imagine all schools are like that in the video. no. my cousin was in school where was 30 people at max, included the teachers... :D the cook was from the same village he was living etc.... still nobody never was hungry!! and this was in 2000's... yes. as absurd it can sound. it was until 2011 or something, then he moved to the higher grade and had to change the school like most of us. nowadays that school is not active. i mean, if im not wrong my cousin's father owned that at some point at least

[@56redgreen]

There is a comedy show called Rita its Danish and obviously fiction but it highlights the different culture in Europe as opposed to America.

[@agnesmetanomski6730]

Let's forget the phrase "the government pays for...". The money the government disposes of is tax money. Tax money is each person/company's contribution to the payment for those things that are needed for society as a whole (at least in theory, since a lot is wasted in many countries). So it's actually "People pay it through their taxes", unlike in the US, where people pay taxes and on top of that pay for school services, so they pay double.

[@nazimelmardi]

When she says master degree it means as hard as an engineer’s master. And in the USA you can teach in elementary school without a degree. Basically you only need a supervisor.

[@simulcop]

two words for you: Home Schooling. I'm incredibly lucky to have been educated outside of USA

[@TheRawrnstuff]

Home schooling is a thing in Finland, too. By my understanding though, it's a lot more involved/collaborative with the local school or municipal education officer of some sort. And basically never done on the basis that the parent doesn't want the school to teach their kids something that the parent disagrees with.

[@MrDefaultti]

As a Finn. I'm (I think) about languages. I Think sometimes that I don't know enough. I speak only Finnish. English, Swedish, German and a bit Latin. I was few weeks ago on a holiday in Scotland. Now I think I have to learn another English language. Of course the understood me there, but american English and English English are a bit different. They understand each other, but use different words. And to mix into that is also the Scottish accent. Here I will poke at the beehive... Football and soccer. Americans say their sport if football. HOW?? They carry the not so ball shaped thing around. But our football (soccer) to them (sorry again). We kick the BALL shaped ball around. To us THAT is football ;-)

[@juniusluriuscatalus6606]

I find it kind of curious how (almost) every time I discuss with Americans they seem to claim that Finland is so much smaller, that this is possible. I've never understood how it's a size issue? Anyways, I'm almost certain that certain religious elements play part in here and, as a secular country, Finland has huge advantage over this, because it isn't (anymore) a real issue. Even so, the real deal seems to be how the system and the society seems to focus on progress, to get better, to improve what we do. Oh, and knowing five languages isn't really that huge, when we all get to know three languages anyway (English and Swedish being the most common ones). Everything has been getting better and better in the long term. Comparing to what we got in 80's and 90' in my school years I'm actually jealous but damn happy that it's got better!

[@trooper64428]

My little boy has autism, he is picked up by minibus taken to a class of around 10 pupils he has one teacher and one teachers assistant per two children. Our teachers are highly educated around 5 years of a degree most teachers will speak at least 3 languages Finnish, Swedish and English or Russian are quite common.

[@KennethRotheramUK]

Is the degree called Teacher Training? What is taught in Year 1, 2,3,4? Is the Masters year deigned either for classroom teachers or for subject teachers. How much school experience is included?

[@toinenosoite3173]

School lunches are free for all without exception, and they are paid by the municipality, as education up to the upper secondary level is a municipal issue.

[@johnphdk]

You should try watching the video "Where to invade next - Finland" by Michael Moore, it's also about the Finnish school system, but seen by an American point of view

[@katherinethompson4500]

My sisters school is really good and she now says problem is that because her school is good, house prices are going up. A good school in uk can add 30,000 to house price in London ?!? Sounds like USA. Her school is top grouping across the capital

[@MaxZagar]

Yes, the get free lunch. I was purchasing lunch or planning it, and when making it inbulk it costs very little... about 1.7 € per meal. Its just strange not to serve food for the kids.

[@jonttul]

Yeah that is the really bad thing about countries without free school lunch, for some kids whose parent's aren't well off, that can be the only proper meal they get in the day. And if that country does not have a school lunch program they might go hungry for the whole school day. Which makes learning practicallly impossible.

[@butenbremer1965]

Ever heard of "Forest Kindergartens" in Denmark? This video is very nice: "Kids Gone Wild - Denmark's Forest Kindergartens" by The Outdoor Teacher. I think you'll enjoy this one....

[@katherinethompson4500]

In uk kids get breakfast at school and since introduced my teacher sister says concentration, behaviour etc all improved and as a result the standards shot up. But uk is nowhere near as good. Those playgrounds look ideal - my sister teaches in big city and govt has sold off school playgrounds… 😢. She says they need to burn off energy and exercise but no space. I remember playgrounds and so forth were great for the imagination. I think schools in uk (govt send kids to private schools) should focus on recruiting great teachers so salaries are better and therefore attract higher calibre of staff. One interest fact for any racists in uk is my sister says the parents who have migrated to uk are a joy to talk to about kids progress/issues - they listen and really respect her advice on reading or even more playtime? Brit parents scream at her ‘my little darling is perfect! How dare you!’ She has such a tough job

[@TheWilho87]

high taxes but equal opportuneties

[@TheRawrnstuff]

Meh about taxes being high. I'd much rather pay taxes than several hundred dollars a month in health insurance premiums. If it's a value proposition, Finnish taxes are much more worth it than the taxes in the US. Like paying $20 for a small pizza, vs paying $15 for literal dog poo.

[@veli-pekkakultanen2353]

In Finland food is free and good for all children.

[@elisabethrexromoser2786]

Does having a baby soon make you think about where you would like your child to grow up? Good luck with everything to you both😊

[@elvwood]

To everyone pointing out that it is not really free because it is paid for by taxes: of course you are right, no service is truly free. But it is *free* *at* *the* *point* *of* *delivery* (to borrow a phrase from the core principles of the NHS), which means nobody is excluded because they cannot personally pay. It only matters that society as a whole can pay, which is why places which use this sort of system have a higher tax rate. For myself, I'm all in favour!

[@bettinawetekamp1682]

Might be the best system in the world, but as far as i know, they are going back…because they recognize that children are not being able to write..because of digitaliation…they simply can not write withougt a a help of i pad etc…they can not read a book without help of digital equipment….that just the other side of the system ….

[@Zarniwooper]

It's in thw Finnish legislation that basic education needs to be free. The school cannot ask parents any money for any reason.

[@MidWitPride]

Back in the early to mid-2000s, when I was in school we for sure didn't have PlayStations. That being said many things mentioned here did still apply, like very little homework, teachers being knowledgeable and in general reasonable, free decent school lunches, and the overall experience being quite chill. But the part about pool tables and playstations for sure isn't the norm, and I doubt it has ever been. Finnish schools are alright, but this documentary certainly did some cherry picking. While the class divide between schools isn't extreme in Finland there still are schools that are better than others. Even if they aren't tested.

[@jasonbourne9819]

Good ol' school choice 👍

[@citizenVader]

Taxes are a pest to some, but you really remove a lot of potential corruption and misuse of funding by tax. But the trust level is high in the Nordic systems.

[@jirachie9772]

Sadly high taxes include a lot of corruption as well. We even have a word that translates directly to "protected employment", which refers to people, who do nothing, but get full time job wages through tax money abuse. But it's a pick your poison thing.. we get some ineffective sides of socialism, but we have a stable society, with low crime and high level of education. I don't like all of it, but things are generally quite well for us.

[@citizenVader]

@@jirachie9772 that's where union work is helping here in Denmark

[@pelaajajm5698]

well it depends in what "kunta" (municipality?) you live in as it comes from that areas combined tax money, so if you have municipality (it think thats right word) that has 5000 people, schools rescourses are lot smaller where if you live in municipality that has 70 000 people schools on that area have much better facilitys (and smore schools of course) which is kinda problem ATM as some more poor municipality's shut down schools in more ruar areas and arrange school trasports for those kids to travel hour to nearest school when previously school was walking distance away.

[@jukkakopol7355]

Schooll luch first appear during WW II 1940 just that every child get warm food every day. After that we decide it is good system.

[@cellevangiel5973]

Heidi, outside the USA primary school is free. Most even secondary and univ. Don't take the exception for the rule.

[@larskolme9740]

It could have been pretty much any Swedish school, as well. And we STILL complain about the level of education the students get! Probably becauce there are 30+ students to one teacher!

[@mikkohapponen5728]

Changed to worst in foodwise, no school kichen anymore. Teaching the same. Teachers care about them childrens

[@baramuth71]

It is sad to see that parents have to pay expensive money for their children's education, and in contrast, parents here in Europe don't have to worry. Not every parent in the USA finds it easy to raise this money for their children. And this is very important for the future of the children to get a good free education. After all, they are also the future of a country's well-trained workforce.

[@AHVENAN]

Of course Finlands school system is the best, Finland is the best period! Obviously take this comment with a grain of salt, but I am very very happy to have been born in this great nation and I can not see myself ever living anywhere else!

[@finnishculturalchannel]

It's natural to be allured by Rally English, but don't let the fancy school building and game console dazzle you. In 1948, Finland was the first country to start offering free meals for students. Spending money to school buildings, teachers and their education etc. doesn't count, if children aren't able to learn, because they are hungry and eating poorly. Something which occurs also, if kids skip the school lunch, because they rather get some candy and pastries from the store next to school. Learning results have been dropping in Finland since 2006 and one reason to that is that the school system was opened for companies, which care more about return of investments, consumerism etc. than about the education results-such as reading skill. The new learning environments and methods don't support learning like the old ones did. Smartest people were born in the 70s and they went through the old upbringing and school system. They didn't have fun in school. Just dull classroom walls and tedious school work. Fresh air every 45 mins and lunch at noon, which in most cases was just filling the basic need, nothing more. The old Finnish school system and teaching methods were adapted to the Estonian school system and now they get high education results. Nowadays a greater number of Finnish children don't even possess basic skills needed to start the school. Those should come before that lunch, if some learning is expected. It's problematic when education must be adjusted to suit a 5 second attention span of a child, who has grown to seek instant gratification of some sort and gets a destructive fit when not getting that. The more school has students like that, the less you want your kid go to that school. And the experts claim they can't figure out why learning results are dropping. Even the kids can point out what's wrong with the school today. E.g. apparently paying attention to your smart phone somehow hinders you from paying attention to teaching. Them companies have to be able reach them kids when they are at school at the age of intense learning. Even the news studios-in these days of proven visual and marketing overload-have wall size screens in them with some random stuff flying around on them "for the sake of the news". Just because they have bought that wall size screen into the studio like it's some monolith on the setting of the '2001: A Space Odyssey'. Such madness, I tell you. You might like Tim Walker's channel. He's an American teacher, who at least at time of making his videos worked as a teacher in Finland. Also William Doyle here has flattering things to say about the Finnish society and school system: "William Doyle - Finland: My Greatest Teacher".

[@urhonykvist8795]

High taxes is a must. And for the rich it should be more and more and more. Not like in US where ritch people pay nothing

[@Gittas-tube]

Hello, Heidi! 👋🏻😊🇫🇮 I've perused some of the answers from Finns here and I have to caution you: The comments are full of false facts, they're not giving you a true picture of the Finnish schools nor of the Finnish healthcare system, or the taxation. The reality is, of course, much more complicated. Some of the comments are clearly made by people whose glass is always half empty. Whining is a national sport in Finland, because pessimism is part of the Finnish character, it seems. The Finns have had it too good for too long now. Finland has been known for paying its debts on time (Finland is the only country that paid back all of the funds borrowed from the U.S. after WW2, for instance. We did not receive any of the Marshall Aid money after the war. The Finnish Government has recently been forced to tighten the reins a little. When covid struck, we had to borrow money to deal with it without causing excessive hardship to the population or the economy as a whole. Now, we have to reduce some benefits for the citizens; the Government is forced to scrape and save in order to have any possibility of getting things back on track, otherwise the European Union may reprimand us for poor financial management. Here are a few examples of services that are free or for which the citizens only pay a small fee: The tuition itself is free all the way up to and including a Ph.D. degree. By the way, a Bachelor's degree is sufficient for working as a teacher in the U.S. It's like with the police in the U.S. and in Finland. In Finland, the median monthly salary of a police officer is 4,600 euros. The salaries of eight out of ten policemen's monthly salaries fall between 2,400 and 10,000 euros. It takes three years to become a policeman or -woman in Finland. There are grants and low-cost student loans available. These are typically a few thousand euros, not more. In any case, not in the tens of thousands. Affordable, subsidized housing is also available, as well as meals in university cafeterias and restaurants. Many public transport fees are reduced for university students. Schools get equal funding from the state, that is, a small school way out in the countryside, with maybe only ten or twenty pupils, and a large school, say in Helsinki, with hundreds of pupils, get equal funding based on their needs and the number of pupils that they have. As far as taxes on salaries are concerned, percentages of 40% and 57% have been banded about and they are only correct in certain cases. For instance, my monthly pension is 2,778.40 euros and my tax is 20%. The average salary in Finland is 3,700 euros, but the median monthly salary in 2021 was 3,314 euros. However, 33% of the population earn only between 1,525 and 2,236 euros a month. The middle middle class earns from 2,337 to 3,049 euros and represent 24.5% of the population. The upper middle class, or 10.7% of the population, earn from 3,050 to 4,065 euros a month. On a monthly salary of 3,000 euros, the taxpercentage is 14.5% plus 8.65% for your pension and unemployment insurance payments. If your total annual salary is 50,000 euros, your average tax percentage is 41% and your marginal tax rate 48.8%. This marginal tax rate is only applied to any additional earnings above and beyond your main salary. The average monthly salary of teachers in Finland is 4,487 euros, but it varies.

[@onnikivivirta4011]

You should move to Finland 😋

[@ravenfin1916]

Compulsory education in Finland was created by the Compulsory Education Act of 1921, which made compulsory six-year public school for all citizens, which started at the age of seven. This is because since the beginning of time, our decision makers have understood the value of education. To make parents more willing to let their children go to school, free food was given at school. The school system is financed with tax money, which is called US communism. But if you want something to mess with your head, then the model of our school system was once applied to the US, if we are to trust Michael Moore.

[@markonikula2611]

Vuodesta 1948 lähtien Suomessa on tarjottu maksuton kouluruokailu kaikille oppivelvollisuuskoulujen oppilaille. Kun vuonna 1977 kaikissa Suomen kunnissa siirryttiin peruskouluun, maksuton kouluruokailu oli järjestetty kaikille peruskouluikäisille.

[@ravenfin1916]

@@markonikula2611 Niin sitä ennen piti viedä kouluun marjoja, puuroryyniä, maitoa tai muuta mistä se ruoka tehtiin. -48 poistui 5 vuoden siirtymäajan jälkeen tämän tarve eli ruokailu kustannettiin täysin oppilaitoksen puolesta ja näin siitä tuli tasa-arvoisempaa kaikille. Sitä ennen joutui jollain tavalla osallistumaan sen ruuan kustannuksiin.

[@markonikula2611]

@@ravenfin1916 Keitto tuli koulun puolesta, maito ja leivät kotoa. Puolukoita piti poimia koululle 1950-60-luvulla, ehkä vielä myöhemminkin (maalla).

[@vintermussen]

that is what TAXES are for - WE outside of USA are previliges to have FREE school, and healthcare 🙂

[@urhonykvist8795]

When ritch people cant have "better" schools they want all schools are great

[@MrOluf]

Try to see the Micael Moore film: where to invade nexst"

[@KennethRotheramUK]

Finland performs much better than England and the USA in the PISA test. In this international test the students have to apply their knowledge in novel situations. It seems that their average pupils achieve comparatively higher scores than those in other countries. Does this reflect Goverment directives, the headmasters, the teachers, teaching methods, continual assessment, revision methods or parental involvement? It would seem that there is no one silver bullet for success and that this is only achieved by a complex well organised system which operates at several different levels. International visitors to Finland are usually perplexed by Finnish success probably because they only see one lesson. Finnish pupils are made regularly accountable for their own learning and it is this which most probably explains their success. Our system that has ‘listen and learn’ lessons and prolonged cramming for SATs does not encourage pupils to develop their long term memory, which is the basis of successful learning. At the Government level ... The Government in Finland introduced a law so that all children have a 15 minute break after 45 minutes of teaching The government decided on mixed ability classes. The Government sets out a curriculum that is short with only a few pages of text per subject. The curriculum is not overwhelming, leaving time in the year for teachers to plan local activities and innovate. The Government approves science and mathematics textbooks that provide lesson plans for teachers for every term and the national examination at age 16 has few multiple choice questions. Questions have long introductory text which must be read and analysed. This approach expects pupils to read and then apply their knowledge in the examination. This of course drives the type of lesson that pupils experience. The Government directs examination boards to set questions that assess understanding of concepts and their application in novel situations rather than just factual recall. There is a minimum reliance on multiple choice in examinations. At the Headteacher level... The school day is organised with one hour lessons and each lesson includes a 15 minute break. There are morning and afternoon coffee breaks. There is a lunch hour. The Head meets with teachers in an interview every term to discuss class progress, any problems with individual pupils, innovations, new topics etc There are no heads of department and one teacher is given responsibility for ordering equipment, materials etc. The Head is responsible for standards and these are checked yearly by the government who give an examination to a few pupils in a year group. School inspectors can visit if results are unsatisfactory. Poorly performing pupils or gifted pupils are interviewed with their parents with the class teacher, a school psychologist and a social worker present. The Head insists that good discipline is introduced quickly in the school and is effective at an early age. They believe that learning cannot occur if minor disruption occurs in lessons. At the teacher level... Teachers enjoy their jobs and few leave teaching. Teachers know the ability of their mixed ability class and have the same pupils all day and every day. Poor behaviour can be remedied quickly in such a situation and discipline is good. Teachers on exchange visits comment that teacher’s lessons are similar to those in other countries. Exchange teachers also see teachers in lessons and comment that they are not ‘super teachers’. A common lesson format is a period of teacher talk followed by the pupil reading the textbook and answering questions. A short test is then used to monitor learning in the lesson. Passive learning is followed by active learning and the test gives immediate feedback. Teacher talk probably accounts for 15 minutes in the lesson. Teachers are trained to monitor learning efficiently with short tests in every lesson and termly tests. The results for the latter are used for grades (these are entered into a national database that parents can see). This is called continual assessment. There are no high status SAT tests at different ages because school tests occur regularly each term. Teachers keep the same class for many years as the children get older(upper secondary pupils are taught by subject specialists). Teachers teach all subjects and introduce cross curricular projects which are also given a grade. Teachers keep a portfolio of children’s work and comment on this and they periodically jointly set new targets after a discussion with a pupil. Teachers set a short homework every week and pupils mark their own homework in class as the teacher goes through the marking scheme. Pupils have to comment on their results and these are entered into the national database. If no homework is done this is also recorded. At the pupil level... Pupils enter the classroom and take off their shoes. Pupils listen, read their textbook and answer questions, write summaries and are tested in every lesson. Pupils keep a portfolio of work and are self critical of their own work using a proforma. The teacher also comments on this periodically. Pupils say they appreciate the regular 15 minute breaks every hour. Pupils work well and quietly in class for 45 minutes. Pupils conduct peer to peer tests as a revision process before end of term tests. A bright pupil is paired with a less able pupil (Finnish classes are always mixed ability). Each pupil has to explain a concept to the other pupil and they persist until mastery is achieved. Older pupils do online guided projects using school computers and use a special program that has prompts. Parents... Parents receive a form at the end of term which provides the grade for the end of term tests. They have to sign this and return it to the school. Parents attend parents evenings. Parents are satisfied that homework is brief (sometimes less than 30 minutes per week) and expect good learning to take place in the school. Older pupils have projects to complete and pupils are expected to do research at home on the internet. Older pupils will spend longer on their projects. Some parents do not like the idea of peer to peer revision as it seems that the bright pupil is being used as a teacher. They want their bright pupils to be stretched more. School believe that this method benefits both abilities. Parents can see test results on a national database. Parents can be contacted by teachers using mobile phone messages if progress is slow or behaviour is poor. Parents buy school workbooks and textbooks. These are used daily in class and parents can see that their children are getting a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum in all subjects. Parents do not make sandwiches for their children. Pupils receive a balanced free meal at school and they are not allowed off site to buy junk food. Further reading... ‘Cleverlands’ was written by a teacher who taught in several countries to understand their success. There is a long chapter on the Finnish educational system.