Goodbye Subjects: Finland Just Made A Huge Change To Their Education System

Finland has always been regarded as having one of the best educational systems in the world. It is only rivaled by eastern countries such as China and Singapore. The major hub where all this happens is Helsinki, where many travel to try and tap into what it is that makes its education system so great. 

It comes as no surprise then that Helsinki would make a huge change to the education system, one that will essentially change everything about it.  

Take a read and let us know what you think. Would you want to adopt these changes in your schools? 

Let us know in the COMMENTS! 

Finland has recently made a big change. 

They have made the decision as a nation state to no longer teach things in school by subject. Instead, they will now be teaching by topic. 

“This is going to be a big change in education in Finland that we’re just beginning,” said Liisa Pohjolainen, who is in charge of youth and adult education in Helsinki. 

So, what does this mean? 

With not being taught by subject, students won't have an hour of math and then an hour of history and then science. Rather, students will be able to learn by topic, or by “phenomenon” as they call it. 

For example, a student may choose to study the European Union, which would include lessons in economics, languages, history, geography, and so on. 

Their reasons for wanting to make this change make a lot of sense. 

Pasi Silander, who is the city's development manager, has said, "What we need now is a different kind of education to prepare people for working life. 

"Young people use quite advanced computers. In the past, the banks had lots of bank clerks totting up figures but now that has totally changed. We therefore have to make the changes in education that are necessary for industry and modern society.” 

Futhermore, as Marjo Kyllonen, the education manager said, 

“We really need a rethinking of education and a redesigning of our system, so it prepares our children for the future with the skills that are needed for today and tomorrow. There are schools that are teaching in the old fashioned way which was of benefit in the beginnings of the 1900s – but the needs are not the same and we need something fit for the 21st century.” 

But these changes have not come without some fight.

Some of the teachers and heads of departments have made objections to these changes, since they have spent their entire careers devoted to a certain subject. 

However, those that have made the switch love it. “We have really changed the mindset,” Silander said. “It is quite difficult to get teachers to start and take the first step… but teachers who have taken to the new approach say they can’t go back.” 

With the question of teachers, Kyllonen has what she thinks will be a good solution. 

She is advocating for “co-teaching”where teachers and heads would collaborate in lesson planning with input from staff who have taught in certain areas for the majority of their career.  

There is also an increase in salary for the teachers who adopt the new teaching method. 

It seems as though the students are also benefiting from the change. 

In the two years since the changes have started, students' performances have improved. Officials are even looking into ways to help with the education in preschools by introducing more play into learning.

They are hoping these reforms will be in all Finnish schools by 2020. 

What do you think? 

Let us know your thoughts in the COMMENTS about the changes and don't forget to SHAREto get the conversation going. 

h/t The Independent