Sari Auramo is a primary school teacher from Ohkola school in Mäntsälä, Finland who has 20 years of teaching experience. She has served as both a principal for 6 years and a teacher and vice principal for 14 years. She is also a lecturer for the Finnish national board of education on eTwinning and ICT topics and has led over 40 eTwinning projects, receiving awards for the best projects in Finland and Europe. Finland's education system emphasizes equity and access for all students through public funding and a uniform basic education system. It also values highly competent teachers and school autonomy.

1. Nice to meet you!

2. My name is Sari Auramo
• primary school teacher from Ohkola school,
Mäntsälä
• teacher for 20 years
• principal 6 years, teacher and vice principal 14 years
• lecturer for Finnish national board of education
(eTwinning and ICT)

3. • eTwinning- teacher since 2005
• eTwinning-ambassador since 2007
• about 40 eTwinning projects
• many conferences around Europe
• the best eTwinning project in Finland 2010
• The best eTwinning project in Europe 2011

4. Finnish
education
system

7. Background for Finnish
PISA success
Finland's success is largely explained by
• the education system (uniform basic education for the
whole age group)
• highly competent teachers
• the autonomy given to schools
http://www.minedu.fi/pisa/taustaa.html?lang=en
http://www.minedu.fi/export/sites/default/pisa/2009/Background_to_PISA_success.pdf

8. Equity in education
- Equal opportunities for education for everyone
- Free at all levels (including instruction, school materials,
school meals, health care, dental care, commuting,
special needs education and remedial teaching)
- Basic education encompasses nine years and caters for
all those between 7 and 16 years
- Every pupil and student has the right to educational
support
- Special needs education
- Language minorities and migrants
- Life-long learning in focus
http://www.minedu.fi/export/sites/default/pisa/2009/Background_to_PISA_success.pdf
http://oph.fi/download/146428_Finnish_Education_in_a_Nutshell.pdf

9. Education system based
on trust and responsibility
• Most education is publicly funded
• Local administration and educational institutions
play a key role
• Quality assurance is based on steering instead of
controlling
http://oph.fi/download/146428_Finnish_Education_in_a_Nutshell.pdf

10. Early childhood and basic education
as part of life-long learning
• Early childhood education supports children’s
development and learning
• Basic education is provided within a single structure
• School year is the same everywhere but timetables
are local
• National core curriculum leaves room for local
variations
• Assessment is part of daily schoolwork
http://oph.fi/download/146428_Finnish_Education_in_a_Nutshell.pdf

11. General and vocational pathways at
upper secondary level
• Most students continue their studies after basic
education (more than 90 %)
• General upper secondary education is flexibly organised
• First national examination at the end of general upper
secondary education
• Vocational education and training in cooperation with
the world of work
• Competence-based qualifications offer a way to
demonstrate prior learning
http://oph.fi/download/146428_Finnish_Education_in_a_Nutshell.pdf

12. Higher education
with a dual structure
• Higher education is offered by universities and polytechnics
• 14 universities
• Most university students aim for a Master’s degree
• Polytechnic degrees provide students with practical professional
skills
• 24 polytechnics
• One example – Helsinki Metropolia:
http://www.metropolia.fi/en/degree-programmes/
http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Koulutus/yliopistokoulutus/yliopistot/?lang=en
http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Koulutus/ammattikorkeakoulutus/ammattikorkeakoulut/?lang=en
http://oph.fi/download/146428_Finnish_Education_in_a_Nutshell.pdf

13. Highly educated
teaching personnel
• Teaching is an attractive career choice in Finland
• The most common pre-service requirement is a
Master’s degree
• The work of teachers is very independent
• Educational leaders are required a teacher
qualification
• Continuing teacher education is encouraged
http://oph.fi/download/146428_Finnish_Education_in_a_Nutshell.pdf
http://oph.fi/download/154491_Teacher_Education_in_Finland.pdf

14. School meals in Finland
• Finnish legislation guarantees pupils and students the
right to free meals during school days from pre-primary
and basic education until the completion of upper
secondary education.
Start at 1.03.
https://youtu.be/Y0bGi_P2OAY?t=1m3s

15. Thank you!