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
tion of foreign teaching qualifications in
on student admissions and admission
Finland.
criteria independently. Entrance tests of
Predominantly female profession
with the rest of the staff of the educational institution. Teacher education offered at
universities are used to assess aspects
universities provides the student with
such as academic studying skills and
capabilities for acting independently as a teacher, instruc-
aptitude for the
tor and educator.
Approximately 63,500 teachers work in
profession. In the
basic education and the upper secondary
admissions process
level (general upper secondary school and
for professional
vocational education and training) and
teacher education,
in liberal adult education. The majority
the areas assessed
of teachers are women. Out of teachers
include competence
working in basic education, more than
and expertise in
70% are women; the corresponding figure
the specific field of
for vocational education and training is
teaching, to be dem-
slightly more than a half. The majority of
onstrated through
teachers are employed by municipalities.
work experience and qualifications.
Higher education institutions
In Finland, higher education insti-
of teaching taking into account develop-
tutions decide independently on the
ments in the world of work and different
contents of teacher education. The link
professions.
decide on student admissions and the contents of the education
Higher education institutions decide independently on the contents of teacher education.
The objective of professional teacher education is to provide the student with the skills and knowledge to guide the learning of different students and
between teaching and research is em-
the capabilities to develop his or her field
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 in their own subject and learn to develop
is responsible for education based on the
The work of teachers is very
collective agreement for public servants;
the work community in cooperation with
independent
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 constantly
the minimum duration of this education
In addition to the employer, also
impact their work and the development 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
registration of teachers takes place.
competence.
Focus points in developing the
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 Applicants selected for the education
8 856
811
11 976
12 493
879
886
Ministry of Education and Culture | Teacher education in Finland | 1/2014