Just back to Mumbai after a Two Days Training conference and Workshop for Education Heads & Change makers. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet, interact & know about the education systems of five (Finland, USA, Australia, Hong Kong & Singapore) of the top ten countries in education across the globe right from their educators & policy makers. These countries are among TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics & Science Study) and PISA (Programme for International Student assessment) worldwide toppers.
Can’t resist sharing some of the beauties of the education system & their thoughts as shared by:
Ms. Pirjo Koivula, Counselor of Education, Finnish National Board of Education, FINLAND
i) 3-things Finnish people value most are: Education, education & education
ii) You ask which school is best in Finland for your child’s education and answer is: The one nearest to your home
iii) Every child has the right to be supported in learning and school attendance as soon as the need arises (written in legislation)
iv) The support in learning & attendance is intensified by three stages – a) general support b) Intensified support c) Special support
v) Support is collaborative effort invoving all teachers, students, the pupil, his parents & welfare personal
vi) assessing support needs and offering the necessary support is an INTEGRAL PART OF A TEACHER’S WORK under all teaching situations. NO TEACHER CAN SAY IT’S NOT MY JOB.
vii) High quality of teachers: Each teacher has a master’s degree even at Primary level
viii) Word ‘Control’ doesn’t exist as the high standards for education are set and institutions have to meet them. Schools are autonomous
No wonder, Finland is at the top in terms of Education and the country has achieved this only within a short period of time, one decade.
Ms. Stella Fernandez, Master teacher, Creative & Thinking Classrooms, Recipient of Presidential Award, SINGAPORE
i) School has One Principal & two vice principals so as to maintain the quality of education
ii) Knowledge is easily accessible & don’t waste time testing it.
iii) Value & character building is the core of education to make children socially responsible, inculcate a sense of shared values & respect each other’s differences.
Dr. Mindy Blaise, Associate Professor, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Co-Director , Centre for Childhood Research & Innovation, China
i) Education is free up to 15years of age to everyone.
ii) Rote learning max.10 min.
iii) Don’t worry, because children always don’t LISTEN you; worry because children always WATCH you
Mr. Dave Faulkner, Director of Education Changemakers, Australia(Australian of the year,WA-2004 and Young Leader of the year,WA-2003)
i) No Education system can be any better than the quality of its TEACHERS. So invest in teachers’ empowerment
ii) If you have an extra rupee to spend, don’t SPEND it to reduce your class size; INVEST it in improving the quality of your teachers.
iii) When it comes to change-Much more than ownership is AUTHORSHIP
iv) RELATIONSHIP is CURRENCY to CHANGE. Build on it.
Mr. Bob Baratta Lorton, President, Center for Innovation in Education (not- for- profit organization), USA
His center instructors have provided curriculum training to over 500,000 teachers worldwide.
His passion for teaching is commendable and worth following. Got to know few wonderful innovative ideas to teach English and Maths & make it interesting from Mr. Bob.
Dr. Sunita Gandhi, Convener EDWW and co-founder Council for Global Education,USA
Ms. Gandhi shared her vision to revolutionize education in India & checklist to bring about the most needed change in our education system.
There was a lot more but can’t write anymore. So … Bye and happy sharing…
Usha Rajesh Sharma | Mission Possible | 