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The first school in Finland was founded in a monastery in the late 1200s. For centuries, schools were maintained by the Church and primarily served the sons of the upper estates, providing scholars for the Church. At that time, teaching was neither child-centered nor gentle.
Until 1809, Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden. From 1809 to 1917, it was an autonomous Grand Duchy under the Russian Empire.
In the 1860s, public folk schools were established for both girls and boys, regardless of social class.
Finland became an independent republic in 1917, followed by a civil war in 1918. As a result, it was not until 1921 that Parliament passed the Act on Compulsory Education, mandating six years of schooling.
The era of folk schools lasted for a century and ended in the 1970s with the comprehensive school reform. The parallel school system was unified into a single, publicly funded nine-year comprehensive school, ensuring compulsory education for all.
Over time, Finnish schools have become more child-centered, recognizing children as active builders of their own knowledge. Over the past 50 years, increasing attention has been given to the holistic development and well-being of students in basic education.
Compulsory education was extended in 2021, raising the minimum school-leaving age to 18 years. In addition, student guidance and welfare services were enhanced.
The general education and basic education curricula are grounded in the principles of children’s rights. The latest curriculum (2016) emphasizes child-centered goals, a student-centered school culture, and active pupil participation and well-being.
(kuvateksti)
Finland has consistently ranked among the top-performing OECD countries in PISA assessments. In the 2022 Creative Thinking assessment, Finnish 15-year-olds performed well, with 39% reaching proficiency levels.
The national core curriculum embraces a broad definition of creativity, integrating it as a guiding principle in both teaching and learning. Fostering creativity is recognized as one of the key missions of education.
There are many concerns about the future of education. The number of children born in Finland is decreasing, and socio-economic disparities are widening, affecting schools. Students increasingly require individualized learning support. Additionally, cuts in public finances threaten school budgets, and the climate crisis endangers the well-being and future of coming generations.
The OPPIVA Network was established in 2016 as a collaborative network of education professionals from municipalities. It focuses on improving teaching and learning in Finnish schools and early childhood education. The network supports the ongoing transformation in education, emphasizing personalized learning, high-quality instruction, and educational equity. Promoting sustainable development in education and communities is also a key objective.
Currently, the OPPIVA Network is actively involved in shaping the future vision for basic education, as initiated by the Finnish Ministry of Education. The focus is on long-term educational development rather than rushed, fragmented reforms. A central question is how to further strengthen student-centered learning in the future.
Tarja Tuomainen, kehittämispäällikkö