Prof. Pertti Kansanen (University of Helsinki)

Programm

Datum: 20.05.2010
Zeit: 16:00 - 17:00
Ort: Raum 211b, Ludwigstr. 28, Vordergebäude

What is behind the good Finnish PISA results? Master plan or serendipity?

Finnish PISA results have aroused much interest around the world but also in Finland. The background explanations concentrate mostly on the structure of the Finnish society: a small country with quite a homogeneous population and highly developed infrastructure, practically one language and one religion. Explanations concerning educational policy are directed to the Finnish school system and teacher education. The Finnish education system consists of comprehensive schooling (nine years for the whole age cohort starting at the age of 7), secondary education (three years of general education in an upper secondary school or two to six years of vocational education), higher education, and adult education. Elective pre-school education is offered to 6-year old children. Comprehensive schools offer all children the same top quality, publicly financed education – not only excellent teaching but counselling, health, nutrition and special-education services. Good school for all, not for some, is the core value that drives education in Finland. Teacher education has always been very popular and appreciated in Finland. Today teacher profession is one of the most popular alternative jobs among Finnish youth. Teacher education is taking place at the universities and is academic by nature. All teachers, both primary school teachers and secondary school teachers pass a Master’s degree (MA) and kindergarten teachers a Bachelor’s degree (BA). Teacher education is research-based; teachers are educated to act as practitioner researchers developing their own work. In the presentation I will consider the main theoretical principles behind the Finnish school system and teacher education and will reflect on the future challenges in developing them for the better. The theoretical model is constantly examined and research results are encouraged to be published in the most appreciated international journals.