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‘Why are we still doing what we do when all evidence indicates that it does not work?’ A Finnish perspective on our education system – opinion
In the shadows of last year’s teacher strike in New South Wales, a number of people asked me how the Finnish education system would deal with the issues causing dissatisfaction for Australian teachers.
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Spot on, I work in a Queensland school region that is implementing more administrative micro-managing of the curriculum, which, as teachers, we see no need or value to our teaching practise. Teaching is a good vocation and can be enjoyable, but is being constantly micro-managed from above, instead of being led by the people who do the job at the coal-face.
The sad thing about this report is the fact that Finland visited the NSW department of education in the late 80s just just before Griener and Metherell trashed it. They loved the wholistic approach that was being developed and shared nationally togeher with the respect for teacher input at all levels of education debate. If we had not swallowed the whole “back to basics’ nonsense and re-introduced the school certificate we would be streets ahead of Finland today
I have written a play ‘Testing Nothing’ which focusses entirely on this topic. I was an after hours Drama Club co-ordination and I wrote it collaboratively with a group of high schools students who were willing to share their experiences with the school system. It is set in an English exam and has the premise that the school exam systems brings out the best in very few, if any, students. In fact often achieves the opposite of what promises to achieve. It also explores the frustration of the system for teachers. Reading this article, I’m inspired to bring it out again and develop it further.
I am thrilled to hear about this play! Every trustee and decision-maker in education should pay attention, They lead or follow a path (perhaps of least resistance) that leads to nowhere!
Such an interesting article. Comparative eduction so valuable to educationalists but so neglected by governments.
I love the Finnish approach. In the Netherlands we also have a great education system. I don’t understand why the governments (whoever is in charge at the time) study those successful countries. Yes I’m afraid we are about 40 years behind.