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To focus on one case study; highflying educational achievers in Alberta, Canada have been closely collaborating with Finland in recent years and policy shifts are bringing rapid reward. Explains Alberta-based Stephen Murgatroyd, an education journalist and consultant, “With caveats, there is much to admire in the Finnish system and the influence on our educational policy has been marked. It has informed a new way of thinking about education.” “There is now a concerted effort to increase the interpersonal relationships between teachers and pupils and the government trend both locally and nationally is moving away from testing at grades 3,6,9 and 11 towards abolishing exams altogether. Also, policies are pushing to eradicate the stigma involved with pupils needing special support as nearly every child needs some form of special support so their competencies can be developed. In Canada, we have learned a lot from the Finnish way and we are trying
there is strong correlation between the quality of the Finnish school system and economic growth. to create great schools for all, rather than for a elite minority.” Key to global competitiveness The strong correlation between the quality of the Finnish school system and overall GDP economic growth is inescapable. Finland has a deeply embedded, culturally based support for education. Most experts would agree that a strong level of support for education within the surrounding culture is more important than money. What makes an education system both successful and competitive comes down to only a handful of core factors: realizing
that 'quality and equity' is better than 'quality or equity'; attracting the best people to the profession; giving a status to teachers that matches other highly respected professions; allowing for lots of customisation in the classroom; and providing ongoing and relevant training. Here are four terms, long considered to be at the heart of an education based on skills and knowledge. They all begin with the letter C: critical thinking, creativity, compassion and communication. And, finally, there is T for teacher and E for equality.