"Finland's education system is considered among the finest in the world, as the country produces some of the world’s most intelligent and evolved students. What deserves the greatest attention, however, is the minimalist approach the Finnish education system takes.
"The schools here don't take any tuition fees and provide subsidized meals to all children. Finland has also done away with almost all standardized testing before the age of 16 and discourages homework. It is illegal to send a child to school before the age of seven," reports Think Change India.
"In a recent development, Finland has decided to do away with all traditional school subjects such as literature, physics, history, geography, and math. Instead of getting skilled at disjointed subjects, Finnish students will now have to think and evolve in an interdisciplinary way. Schools will now have to teach events and phenomena to approach different subjects. For example, the Second World War will be approached from the historical, geographic, and mathematical perspectives. When a student takes the 'Working in a Café' course, he/she will learn the English language, economics, and improve his/her communication skills at the same time."
What do you think?
Comments (4)
Displaying All 4 CommentsSykesville, MD, United States
I learned so much more and gained a greater understanding of our world when the university I attended adopted the interdisciplinary approach. There was a connectedness when I went from class to class that I had never experienced before. It just made more sense to me than the "silo" approach.
I had also read about Finland's approach to education and encouraged my son and daughter-in-law in taking it slow with their son and daughter, which they could since they were homeschooling. I'm afraid that couldn't have been done if our grandchildren had attended public or private school, at least in this part of the country.
North Liberty, Indiana, United States
I have always supported the idea of an integrated curriculum. We know that children, especially the young, learn best through direct experiences. So why not teach this way in school - direct, real life experiences.
Child Care Resources of Rockland
Spring Valley, New York, United States
It seems like it is the "project approach' on a more sophisticated level. It will be interesting to see the results,
As with many educational practices it will work for many but others may need a different approach which hopefully the system will accommodate.
The Applewood Learning Center
Londonderry, New Hampshire, United States
I continue to be impressed by the Finnish education system. I only wish the US would get its ego in check and take some pointers from them. It's such a disservice to our children that they continue to be taught in an outdated manner when there is such clear evidence that it doesn't work!
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