COMPARING FINLAND AND ENGLAND'S EDUCATION SYSTEM

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Historians are interested in how people learned in the past and how they learned it.

History investigates the earliest beginnings of education by delving into the past. The history of

education may be traced back to the earliest days of man. This is mainly because the entire

process of raising a child begins with their education. A system that emphasizes principles and

the cultural practices and activities of the culture in which people were raised may be accurate.

When we look back at history, the breath of school-aged youngsters powers the entire universe. 1

Education has been the most powerful weapon in the battle for progress throughout history.

Having a well-developed education system allows a nation to grow and achieve its long-term

goals. There is a strong link between college education and the nation's development. 2 A college

degree has become a need for success in today's knowledge-based economy. In his own words,

Nelson Mandela said that "The most effective weapon we have to transform the world is

education. To become better and more responsible people, we need education. A college

education is a great way to expand your horizons and learn about new concepts for those

interested in a particular profession. College is a time for self-discovery and exploration of the

larger world. To break down any wall in life, one must first have a good education.

Education systems or structures are the social and economic factors that make up the

various levels of schools. Elements that may affect the learning process's outcome include school

facilities, public money, staffing, and learning materials. Education administrators, teachers, and

students all have a role to play in coordinating the various educational stakeholders. Safe

transportation and amenities are also part of the infrastructure coordination. 3 The system is also

1
Brian Platt and Assistant Professor of History Brian Platt, Burning and Building: Schooling and
State Formation in Japan, 1750-1890 (Harvard University Asia Center, 2004)
2
Limin Bai, Shaping the Ideal Child: Children and Their Primers in Late Imperial China (2005)
3
Larry E. Holmes, The Kremlin and the Schoolhouse: Reforming Education in Soviet Russia,
1917-1931 (1991)
 3

responsible for ensuring that processes and institutions operate at their peak efficiency. Unlike in

Finland, where the age of compulsory education is 6, in England, compulsory education is 5.

During the 40 weeks of the school year, the 4-5-year-olds in England are given 15 hours of early

education. In England, primary and secondary schools are segregated, and students must pass a

series of tests to progress from one level to the next, depending on their performance. The

majority of private schools in England do not receive financial assistance from the government.

Therefore parents are responsible for their children's expenses.

English education has a unique structure and system compared to the rest of the world's

education systems. Local authorities in England are responsible for providing education. The

government's role in England is to provide more consistent funding for early childhood. Changes

have been implemented to make education more accessible to all English schoolchildren. The

changes considered implementing new early years through a national education funding

program. English schooling lasts 12 years. Free education is available to all children who attend

public schools; however, parents are responsible for private school tuition. Twelve years of

schooling are required before a student can attend college or university. In elementary school,

pupils spend five or six years before moving to secondary school and eventually college.

According to experts, the education system in Finland is among the best in the world. As

a fundamental part of the country's welfare society, it has been widely regarded as necessary.

There are no fees for elementary, middle, or high school education, and the instructors are all

highly qualified professionals. Early childhood, pre-primary, elementary, secondary, and adult

education are included. Using educational models and the ideological cross, this paper will

examine the educational systems in England and Finland. The report will discuss how the

systems can improve student behavior and teacher conditions.

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Education Models

Education policies should consider various education models to ensure the overall

educational guidelines are met. Capital theory and the capability approach are two of the most

prominent educational models. According to human capital theory, students' efficiency and

production can be increased by expanding their cognitive stock, an economically practical

human capability. Human capital and natural talent play a critical role in this outcome. Systems

of education should consider the provision of comprehensive education where students will

prove to be an investment. England, for example, has invested in giving all students a formal

education so that they are ready to confront their futures once they leave the schoolhouse door.

In Finland, the education system focuses on ensuring that all students receive the most out of

their education without paying for it. As a result, students' unique talents and abilities will be

recognized and utilized to benefit them in the future.

Another critical aspect of an educational system is educational discourse. It will be

discussed how students can achieve their academic goals by receiving a tailored curriculum.

Teaching and learning go hand-in-hand. Learners' intellectual abilities are shaped by their

interactions with others in the classroom through discourse. Taking a capacity-based approach to

education is critical. Lerner's actual capacity is emphasized in this normative approach to human

well-being. The learning environment's capacity approach provides the optimum educational

outcomes for the learner. It is crucial to consider the learner's ability while deciding on the

curriculum to be used.

Ideological Cross for Systems Educational System

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A curriculum ideology is a set of beliefs about how educational institutions should teach

and why they should do so. The educational systems in England and Finland have provided

explanations of their curricula, including what students should learn and why the curricula were

chosen.4 Students in Finland's public education system benefit from a curriculum tailored to their

educational needs. The educational system must adapt to meet the demands of today's students in

light of rapidly evolving technology breakthroughs. Societal requirements must be taken into

account when formulating an ideological position. For the most part, the primary goal of

education is to improve the quality of life for everyone in society. The curriculum should always

consider community needs as a whole, including the students themselves and those around them.

Ideological cross also considers the importance of education in molding the country's economy.

The economy will be able to utilize its people resources to develop its economy if it has access to

the best curriculum. The educational system must also be taken into account to ensure that the

education system benefits the country's population socially.

England Education System

A structure in England's education system depicts the various stages of a learner's

development and education. Children receive early childhood education from birth until age

five. In England, local authorities have overall responsibility for ensuring enough school places

for students. They also ensure that training and educational facilities are in place. These facilities

help to meet the capital needs of the company. In addition, they are in charge of the upkeep of

academies and schools. The Family and Children Act has provided critical statutory tasks for the

government. A school's allocation is usually determined by the number of students it serves.

4
Sedat Gumus et al., "A systematic review of studies on leadership models in educational
research from 1980 to 2014," Educational Management Administration & Leadership 46, no. 1
(2016)
 6

Academies and schools typically operate on their own. The schools' governing boards are

responsible for ensuring that all school activities run smoothly.

Different types of schools can be found across the country. Local government-run

schools are one example of this type. Trustees or governing bodies own and operate foundation

schools. However, the governing bodies are responsible for hiring the faculty and admitting

students to these institutions. Trustees and founding bodies own voluntary-controlled schools, on

the other hand. These are the categories of schools that churches also control. Public-funded,

privately run schools like Academies have always been labeled as private when it comes to

public-funded, privately run schools. They have financial freedom but must adhere to established

guidelines.

All schools in England are obligated to utilize their funding in the most efficient manner

feasible at all times. The English education system places so much emphasis on the financing of

schools. Using a benchmarking tool, the government ensures that schools are spending the

money they get following the contract terms. 5 With this benchmarking tool, we can provide that

all students have had an excellent learning and teaching experience.

Finland Education System

The primary goal of the Finnish educational system is to ensure that all students have

equitable access to quality education and related training services. An educated populace is

crucial to the country's future success, and this can only be achieved if there is no such thing as

an educational dead-end. From pre-primary school up to the highest level of education,

educational possibilities in Finland is available to anybody who wants to go through the

5
Lola K. Narimbaeva, "The Development Of The Preschool Education System Is A Requirement
Of The Times," The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations 02, no. 11
(2020): 110, doi:10.37547/tajssei/volume02issue11-18.
 7

country's education system, regardless of their skills. This study will compare the education

systems of Finland and England and attempt to identify the areas in which one approach is

superior to the other.

International interest in Finland's educational system has grown significantly in recent

years, with politicians, citizens, and policymakers in countries like Germany and the United

Kingdom taking a keen interest. A large part of this attention is due to Finland's performance in

the OECDS PISA studies, in which the majority of Finnish students have gotten excellent grades

compared to the rest of the kids. 6 Often, people wonder how a small country like Singapore can

accomplish so much in education in such little time and how other countries around the world

might replicate their success. Studying Finland's educational system as a whole has been one-

way researchers have attempted to explain Finland's rise as an educational superpower. Most

instructors in this country are described as responsible and prestigious due to the quality of

education they received from their school. Secondly, the government in Finland provides free

education and free lunches to all students, unlike in England, where some parents must pay fees

or lunch money in most schools. Third, in contrast to the English educational system, the Finnish

system places a higher value on student cooperation than the student or school rivalry.

In Finland, the educational system is well-structured to accommodate all ages, based on

their requirements and educational objectives. The system begins with pre-school education and

focuses on supporting and enhancing learning and the well-being of children. The development

of learning opportunities takes place at this level. Taxpayers foot the bill, and municipalities and

local governments are responsible for providing it. According to Finnish law, the national agency

usually approves and intends to implement what must be studied in the ECEC for Education
6
"The Finnish miracle of PISA: historical and sociological remarks on teaching and teacher
education," The Finnish Education Mystery, 2014, xx, doi:10.4324/9780203068762-21.
 8

curriculum.7 Children's basic educational possibilities are the primary focus of this period.

Children of all ages must go through this stage of development.

Pre-primary education seeks to give the best for the students and improve their

educational preparation for learning and development. All pupils must participate in this level of

understanding or any other activity that fits its objectives. The National Core Curriculum serves

as a guide and planner for pre-Kindergarten teachers. The Finnish National Agency for

Education will review and approve the material and the curriculum in general.

In Finland, the next step in the educational process is what is known as primary education

or compulsory education. To use this product, you must be between 7 and 17. All pupils in this

age group must complete this stage. Finland's critical schools are run by education providers and

the local authorities. Eighteen is the age at which a student must apply to a post-compulsory

school. After completing their compulsory schooling, students will have the option of pursuing a

vocational or general education. General education does not teach the learner any specific

abilities. The Finnish matriculation examination is a school-leaving exam for pupils who have

completed their public secondary education. University admissions are open to those who

perform well on this exam. The goal of vocational training is to help students become experts in

their chosen fields.

Comparison Between Finnish and American Education System

Education in Finland is very different from that in England. The school day in Finland is

shorter than in England. Learning is more hands-on in Finland than in the United States, where

students spend most of their time in school. The Finnish education system is noted for using

7
Reijo Laukkanen, "Finnish Strategy for High-Level Education for All," Governance and
Performance of Education Systems (n.d.), 317, doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-6446-3_14.
 9

fewer classroom hours. Professional and personal growth and measures to strengthen the

curriculum in schools and planning will be given more time in the future. Unlike schools in the

United Kingdom, schools in Finland focus on the unique requirements of their students. There

are four categories of students' needs: health and nutrition, poverty, and culture.

On the other hand, schools in England place a strong emphasis on following a

predetermined curriculum. Compared to their American colleagues, Finnish teachers receive

more outstanding training and spend more time in the classroom. These teachers are tested to

ensure that they are capable of meeting the needs of their pupils and providing the finest

instruction possible to meet the school's educational goals and objectives. Compared to teachers

in England, they are more prepared academically and have more experience. As a result, the

education system is based on students' needs rather than what the government wants.

In England, local authorities have overall responsibility for ensuring enough school

places for students. They also ensure that training and educational facilities are in place. These

facilities help to meet the capital needs of the company. In addition, they are in charge of the

upkeep of academies and schools. The Family and Children Act has provided critical statutory

tasks for the government.8 The number of students in a particular school is used to determine

school allocations. Academies and schools typically operate on their own. The schools'

governing boards are responsible for ensuring that all school activities run smoothly.

The local authorities in England must provide education to children. There are 15 years

of formal schooling in England. Free education is available to all children who attend public

schools; however, parents are responsible for private school tuition. A student must complete a

8
Pasi Sahlberg, "Education policies for raising student learning: the Finnish approach," Journal
of Education Policy 22, no. 2 (2007)
 10

total of twelve years of schooling before enrolling in a college or university. Elementary school

lasts five or six years, after which students move on to middle school and high school. One of the

best education systems in the world is Finland's. It has long been considered one of the most

important pillars of the country's welfare system. Educators that are highly qualified and

experienced are available to students at all levels of study. 9 Early childhood education, pre-

primary education, elementary education, secondary education, and postsecondary education fall

under one umbrella. Education in Finland is very different from that in England. The school day

in Finland is shorter than in England. The English education system is dominated by testing, but

students are exposed to a wider range of hands-on activities in Finland. The Finnish education

system uses fewer hours in the classroom—more time devoted to professional and personal

growth and school improvement and curriculum planning projects. Compared to Finland,

English schools place far more emphasis on reaching the achievement of individual students and

schools, rather than focusing on what the children are learning from their teachers. The long-term

value to the Finnish student has made the Finnish educational system one of the world's most

remarkable.

9
Tapio Toivanen, "Drama Education in the Finnish School System – Past, Present and
Future," Miracle of Education, 2016, 235, doi:10.1007/978-94-6300-776-4_15.
 11

Bibliography

Bai, Limin. Shaping the Ideal Child: Children and Their Primers in Late Imperial China. 2005.

"The Finnish Miracle of PISA: Historical and sociological remarks on teaching and teacher

education." The Finnish Education Mystery, 2014, 227-243.

doi:10.4324/9780203068762-21.

Gumus, Sedat, Mehmet S. Bellibas, Murat Esen, and Emine Gumus. "A systematic review of

studies on leadership models in educational research from 1980 to 2014." Educational

Management Administration & Leadership 46, no. 1 (2016), 25-48.

doi:10.1177/1741143216659296.

Holmes, Larry E. The Kremlin and the Schoolhouse: Reforming Education in Soviet Russia,

1917-1931. 1991.

Laukkanen, Reijo. "Finnish Strategy for High-Level Education for All." Governance and

Performance of Education Systems (n.d.), 305-324. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-6446-3_14.

Maranto, Robert, and Jonathan Wai. "Why Intelligence Is Missing from American Education

Policy and Practice, and What Can Be Done About It." Journal of Intelligence 8, no. 1

(2020), 2. doi:10.3390/jintelligence8010002.

Narimbaeva, Lola K. "The Development Of The Preschool Education System Is A Requirement

Of The Times." The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations 02,

no. 11 (2020), 108-111. doi:10.37547/tajssei/volume02issue11-18.

Platt, Brian, and Assistant Professor of History Brian Platt. Burning and Building: Schooling

and State Formation in Japan, 1750-1890. Harvard University Asia Center, 2004.
 12

Sahlberg, Pasi. "Education policies for raising student learning: the Finnish approach." Journal

of Education Policy 22, no. 2 (2007), 147-171. doi:10.1080/02680930601158919.

Toivanen, Tapio. "Drama Education in the Finnish School System – Past, Present and

Future." Miracle of Education, 2016, 229-240. doi:10.1007/978-94-6300-776-4_15.