In search of the Finnish school miracle – Part 3 • Life as a teacher • #gyereacomeniusba
Finnish schoolteachers are cheerful, approachable, and warm.
The teachers’ lounge is open-plan and massive—divided into cozy spaces with desks, laptop charging stations, couches, and armchairs. The kitchenette is stocked with fruit and snacks. Tea and coffee are freely available, as much as you like. During breaks, the kitchen staff restocks anything that runs low.
Everything here is clearly designed for teachers’ relaxation in mind during the breaks. There’s even a massage chair for recharging and a soundproof booth for making phone calls.
When planning the timetable, break time is a top priority. No teacher is expected to teach more than three lessons in a row without a break.
Every five years (yes, every five!), the regional education board publishes updated regulations—covering everything from legal frameworks to professional expectations and pay grades for teachers.
Naturally, we ask: “So… would you say this is a good school?”
The deputy head smiles. A younger Finnish teacher might not even understand the question. “Yes, this is a good school—EXACTLY AS GOOD AS EVERY OTHER regional school.”
We blink in disbelief. “But the teachers here must be better, right?”
Wrong. In Finland, GOOD TEACHERS WORK EVERYWHERE.
There’s no such thing as “this school is great because it has great teachers, and that one’s worse because the staff are worse and burnt out.” Why not? Because in Finland, teachers are required to change schools every 2–3 years—which is the best cure for burnout. And if their new school is more than 50 kilometers from home, the government provides a taxi every morning and afternoon—completely free of charge.
We’re stunned. At this point, we’re speechless. No more questions. Just open mouths.
In my next post in the Finnish series, I’ll tell you all about school lunches. In Hungary, parents often worry about the quality and quantity of school food. Let me show you the Finnish solution—one that we’re soon bringing to Comenius!
Stay tuned. It’s definitely worth it.
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#hanemférszbeleadobozba; #gyereacomeniusba
English (UK) 
