The Finland Phenomenon

I found this documentary to be a good overview of some of the basic points of difference between 'western' education systems and the Finish system.

The film is laced throughout with interesting quotes and statistics, but it often feels like those statistics are not followed up within the actual film, but serve rather as another area which requires exploration in greater depth. And this is my main disappointment with the film.

The statistics are thought provoking and mostly forgotten in the film; there is a very insular tone to the film, possibly due to the lack in variety of schools visited, people interviewed and issues addressed feeling limited. Each time they spoke to the vocational area of Higher Education they only ever showed the electronics area. They never mentioned how their national curriculum is constructed and what it contains. They introduced two girls in year 8 who were going to illustrate the extra-curricula lives of Finish students, however, showed them playing piano and mentioning they do little homework. What about a greater student sample? This would have been more representative of this area.

The film is effective in discussing the training Student teachers must undertake and the level of trust gifted to teachers, however this is offset by the fact they fail to really explore all levels of schooling from preschool, the comprehensive schooling, high school and further education.

A good introduction to Finish education and teacher training which leaves you wanting more detail and breadth in its examination.