Teacher Education in Finland

Teacher education
in Finland
Finland’s high level of education and competence is based on

high-quality teacher education. The profession of a teacher
is regulated, and the qualifications required from teachers are
defined in legislation.
The statutes in question list the studies, kindergarten teachers, whose qualification of independent problem-solving and
qualifications and work experience estab- requirements include a bachelor’s degree. have the capacity to utilise the most
lished as qualification requirements for In Finland, teacher education is a popu- recent research in the fields of education
different teaching posts. In Finland, lar field of study, and higher education and the subjects taught. Using these skills,
the majority of teachers (some 88%) fulfil institutions are in a position to select the the teacher is able to independently de-
the requirements set for their position. most well-suited and the most motivated velop both him or herself as a teacher and
The Finnish National Board of Education applicants for their programmes. his or her work community in cooperation
issues decisions concerning the recogni- Higher education institutions decide with the rest of the staff of the educa-
tion of foreign teaching qualifications in on student admissions and admission tional institution.
Finland. criteria independently. Entrance tests of Teacher education offered at
universities are used to assess aspects universities provides the student with
Predominantly female such as academic studying skills and capabilities for acting independently as a
profession aptitude for the teacher, instruc-
Approximately 63,500 teachers work in profession. In the tor and educator.
basic education and the upper secondary admissions process Higher education The objective
level (general upper secondary school and for professional
institutions decide of professional
vocational education and training) and teacher education, teacher education
in liberal adult education. The majority the areas assessed independently on the is to provide the
of teachers are women. Out of teachers include competence contents of teacher student with the
working in basic education, more than and expertise in skills and knowl-
70% are women; the corresponding figure the specific field of
education. edge to guide the
for vocational education and training is teaching, to be dem- learning of differ-
slightly more than a half. The majority of onstrated through ent students and
teachers are employed by municipalities. work experience and qualifications. the capabilities to develop his or her field
In Finland, higher education insti- of teaching taking into account develop-
Higher education institutions tutions decide independently on the ments in the world of work and different
decide on student admissions and contents of teacher education. The link professions.
the contents of the education between teaching and research is em- All teacher education also involves
themselves phasised in the education. The objective pedagogical studies and guided teaching
In Finland, teachers are required to have is to produce teachers with a research- practice, which is implemented in the
a master’s degree with the exception of orientation in their work who are capable universities’ own schools for teaching
Ministry of Education and Culture | Teacher education in Finland | 1/2014

practice or other schools nominated for content of teacher education include Regular in-service education
the purpose. Guided teaching practice the teaching and guidance of students The work performed by teachers is
involves the giving of lessons, guidance requiring a greater level of support, the demanding and requires regular in-
discussions and familiarisation with tasks development of learning environments, service education and the opportunity
and responsibilities related to various the utilisation of information and for further education. The parties
issues arising in the everyday life of communication technology, issues related responsible for the in-service education
schools. The aim is for students in teach- to a multicultural society, cooperation of teaching staff are the teachers
er education to become independent and between school and home and themselves and their employers, most
responsible teachers and learn self-devel- cooperation with the world of work. commonly municipalities. The employer
opment, become increasingly proficient is responsible for education based on the
in their own subject and learn to develop The work of teachers is very collective agreement for public servants;
the work community in cooperation with independent the minimum duration of this education
other members of teaching staff. In Finland, teachers have many profes- is three working days outside of school
sional freedoms and opportunities to days per academic year.
Teacher education is developed impact their work and the development In addition to the employer, also
constantly of their work community. Teachers have the Ministry of Education and Culture
The qualitative and quantitative the power to decide which teaching supports the in-service education
development needs of teacher methods and learning materials they of teachers. The objective of state-
education are explored regularly want to use. The Finnish system is based financed in-service education is to
through various evaluations, forecasts on trust in teachers and teacher educa- provide principals and teachers with
and data collection. tion. In Finland, no national evaluation or equal opportunities to develop their
Focus points in developing the registration of teachers takes place. competence.
Applicants who took part in phase 1 entrance test for Finnish-language

class teacher education and those selected for class teacher education
2011 2012 2013

Applicants who participated in the national test 8 856 11 976 12 493
Applicants selected for the education 811 879 886
Ministry of Education and Culture | Teacher education in Finland | 1/2014

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Teacher Education in Finland

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Teacher education

Finland’s high level of education and competence is based on

Ministry of Education and Culture | Teacher education in Finland | 1/2014

Applicants who took part in phase 1 entrance test for Finnish-language

2011 2012 2013

Ministry of Education and Culture | Teacher education in Finland | 1/2014

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