Education in Finland

Pre-Primary Education (continued)

• “Pre-Primary Education” is Finland’s version of preschool. Unlike many countries, where preschools are usually private, of varying quality, and only attended by a percentage of the student population, Finland’s pre-primary education is almost always run by the municipality (each municipality is REQUIRED to provide pre-primary education to every child), free of charge, and overseen by national standards and regulators (Taylor, 2012). More than 99% of children in Finland attend pre-primary education, even though it is optional rather than compulsory. The focus is on social and emotional development just as much as it is on early academic concepts. Attendees learn the behaviors, rules, and concepts needed for a successful education.

Interesting Link:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/early-educations-top-model-finland/article4212334/

Finland’s Quest for Healthy Students: ongoing projects

• The most common cause of death in Finland is cardiovascular disease. Finland’s working-age subgroup recorded heart disease as the top killer for many years, but that has recently been surpassed by alcohol-related deaths (which include diseases caused by excessive alcohol consumption, alcohol poisoning, accidental deaths in which alcohol was involved, and suicides/homicides in which alcohol likely played a role) (Statistics Finland, 2007).
• The Finnish Ministries of Health and Education both work to educate students (and older citizens) about both nutritional importance and the dangers associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Many lessons are taught within the schools, and there are also projects that work to establish a school-home connection (Sormunen, Saaranen, Tossavainen, & Turunen, 2012). These projects are often part of large-scale European actions to combat cardiovascular disease and other major health issues. Organizations like S.H.E. (Schools for Health in Europe) and ENHPS (European Network for Health Promoting Schools) are common throughout Europe, and Finland’s willingness to go along with programs from other countries is notable, as the country often tends to follow its own direction rather than that of others.