In search of the Finnish school miracle – Part 5 • Comenius takes on a Finnish recipe • #gyereacomeniusba
Beautiful Finland has completely captivated us—and won’t let go. Quite literally. We’ve never seen freezing rain like this before! We’re even pulling over on the highway to scrape ice off the windshield. By the time we reach the airport, a snowstorm is raging. Flights are grounded, so we have time to reflect.
So what is the secret of the Finnish education miracle?
The Finnish are free people: cooperative and united. They fought fiercely for their freedom, resisting Soviet influence and occupation. They live with a strong sense of national pride, as a victorious nation.
The entire Finnish society believes that the key to their survival lies in education. The Finns are few in number, so they invest great attention in every child. All young people are expected to complete secondary education—either vocational qualifications or a school leaving certificate.
The Finnish are a small nation—and they know it. The 4.5 million Finns don’t expect the world to learn Finnish: by age 16, most of them already speak fluent English, along with the country’s other official language, Swedish.
At Comenius, we’re on the right path too—with our strong focus on English, and the introduction of a second foreign language starting in Grade 5.
We’re heading home. My head is full of thoughts, and my suitcase is stuffed with experiences—so much that I can barely close it. I want to bring everything back with me, and I want to apply as much as I can to my own school!
The first thing I’m bringing home is the feeling of sparkling cleanliness. In Finnish schools, everyone walks around in thick socks or indoor slippers.
The second is that in Finland, everything is truly about the children: the teachers, the activities, the carefully chosen amount and depth of material, the schedule, the vast range of perfectly assembled tools and supplies.
The third is that Finnish teachers are smiling, cheerful, and motivated. And as a result, so are the students—happy, enthusiastic, and engaged.
The fourth is a sense of complete child-centeredness, overflowing with kindness and care.
Yes, I believe this is the true secret of the Finnish miracle.
From this flows everything else: peace, calm, and solid knowledge.
At Comenius, we teachers aren’t ashamed to learn from those who are ahead of us. That’s why this autumn, we’re heading back to Finland—this time with twice as many of us going. Some of us will even stay for months, so that every part of us, every corner of our thinking, can fully absorb every detail of this masterfully crafted educational approach.
Our intention is noble.
Children are children now. THIS is the time to give them the care they deserve!
DON’T FIT IN THE BOX?
COME TO COMENIUS!
#hanemférszbeleadobozba; #gyereacomeniusba
English (UK) 
