Katie on Education

What is great education? Education differs all over the world; no two-education systems are the same. One country has an education system that outshines the rest. This country’s government supports education with the highest regards for students and teachers, but there are no specified “in-the-box” curricula or standards schools have to follow which allows for the best situations to learn. The esteemed award for “world’s best education” belongs to the country known as Finland.

Education in Finland cost is 100% funded by the government; no cost is put upon the parents of students. Every school receives an equal distribution of the funds for education; therefore every school is equal in resources. Private schools hardly exist due to the government funded public schools. When a student attends public school, not only does he or she receive a free meal halfway through their day, but are also given full access to free health-care from the government. Not only do parents sign their child up for an enriching education, but their child is covered medically as well. This is an incentive for parents to send their children to public school.

            A small sum of the government funding goes to teacher’s salaries, making the salaries rather small, but that does not affect the quality of education. The Finnish government has stressed the importance of teachers to a quality education. Teachers are regarded as highly as doctors and lawyers. The high regard of teachers causes an influx of highly qualified professionals. Teachers in Finland are only chosen from the top ten percent of their respective classes to assure professionalism. Such highly qualified and respected teachers give their students careful attention and adjust to their needs. To aid in this they are given a loose curriculum guide which provides a unique environment for all students and top notch teaching accentuating a teacher’s specific style

Another way the government eases the learning process for students is by a reduction of national exams and standardized tests. A lack of standardized tests results in a more time spent in the classroom learning as opposed to filling in bubble sheets in effect taking more pressure off of the students and teachers. There is no competition to be the best, and the classroom is a safe environment. Outside the classroom, co-curricular activities cease to exist as well. With a lack of competition, all the pressure and stress of being the “best” is replaced with a haven to learn that is equally enjoyable for teachers and students alike.

            Students need a quality education with tremendous teachers and no competition. The Finnish school system offers all of this. The government understands that an equal education will result in better results overall. If the students who graduate school received great education, then their input in the workforce and betterment of the country will in turn also be great.