To begin with, the most important reason is the teachers. In Finland teachers come from the top ten colleges and universities. These teachers enjoy a privileged status within the Finnish community. Also, there is often up to three teachers in a classroom, and they often stay with the same students for five years because they consider continuity in education to be of critical importance.
Second, students do not start education until the age of seven to allow them to play their fill, to develop, and get ready for school.
Third, the Finnish system provides equal opportunity for all. There are almost no private schools and both the rich and the poor go to public schools.
Fourth, the class population size in Finland is small. This allow for more personalized attention for students, more “on task” learning activities, and less disruptive environment.
Fifth, Finnish culture values education and the Finnish government gives teachers decent salaries because they see them as the cornerstones of education and learning process.
The above mentioned factors and others make Finnish education one of the most progressive and effective in the world.
I. A.
