On the trail of the Finnish school miracle \u2013 Part 1: Our first impressions of a Finnish school \u2022 #gyereacomeniusba<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s already getting dark by the time we reach the school. As we step inside, we\u2019re greeted by the scent of freshly printed books and an ocean of new books. We descend upon the textbooks like kids in a candy store.\n\u201cLook at this one! And this one!\u201d we exclaim excitedly.\nA Hungarian author\u2014in Finnish\u20142nd-grade math. R\u00e9ka finds a treasure: \u201cThis author is a highly regarded educator in Hungarian teacher training!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our friend B\u00e9la, who manages the school facility, watches our enthusiasm with a smile.\n\u201cLet\u2019s keep going if you want to finish before midnight\u2014this school has 1,200 students!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The space opens up, and our eyes widen in amazement. We stumble into a choir of older adults and a brass band rehearsal. They welcome us warmly and kindly. You can sense that the respect for the Hungarian-Finnish language kinship is alive here too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
B\u00e9la tells us the school was built by the Finnish state, and the city government allows the local community to use its spaces and rooms free of charge outside of teaching hours. This is how local musicians get rehearsal space, and those who want to do sports get gym access. Smart use of resources!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s take a closer look at what an average Finnish elementary school is like!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elementary school here goes up to grade 9. Students learn general subjects in classes of 16. There\u2019s a strong emphasis on practical lessons: in groups of 8, they learn household tasks\u2014cooking, sewing, laundry, ironing. All this happens in stunningly equipped practice kitchens, and even in small in-house bakeries and pastry shops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now let\u2019s look at the industrial training rooms! (You\u2019ll be dizzy by the end!)
We start off with some knitting and crocheting (yes, boys too!): we pass by knitting machines. Okay, that\u2019s still manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then we see a range of basic carpentry tools and a wood lathe. Impressive!\u2014I think. Then we pass huge woodcutting machines and laminating machiness. \u201cSomebody clearly got carried away ordering equipment,\u201d I think. B\u00e9la clarifies: this kind of investment could be done in Hungary too\u2014but in Finland, it's written into law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now we\u2019re in the metalworking room. So many tools\u2014everything you\u2019d need for classical metalwork. And a lathe! I mean, where in Hungary would eighth-graders get access to this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
B\u00e9la keeps leading us. We see four CNC milling machines operated by computers. What?! In an elementary school?! Over here, a mini blast furnace; over there, students are learning to weld using electricity. \u201cThe girls do it better,\u201d B\u00e9la explains. \u201cThey have a lighter touch.\u201d\nAnd is that\u2026? Am I seeing right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes! We\u2019re looking at aluminum welding tools. In Finland, every student finishes elementary school having learned this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Hungary, that\u2019s considered a full-fledged profession. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re floored. Our jaws drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later that evening we pour ourselves a pint of good Finnish beer and start processing what we\u2019ve seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stay tuned. Keep reading\u2014it's worth it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DON\u2019T FIT IN THE BOX?
COME TO COMENIUS!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#hanemf\u00e9rszbeleadobozba; #gyereacomeniusba<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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