Comparison between Finnish and Pakistan education system
Finland has a very interesting but fruitful education system if compared to Pakistan’s education system. Finland has a five-tier education system:
1) Early Education (0-7), free of books, homework, and written examination;
2) Basic Education (7-16);
3) Upper School or Vocational Education (16-19);
4) Bachelor’s Education (4 years);
5) Master Education (5 years) in the specialization.
In grades 1-6, students are taught by class teachers; while in grades, 7-9 students are taught by subject specialists.
Similarly, the Pakistani educational system is also comprised of five tiers: Primary, Middle, Secondary, Higher Secondary, and graduation.
Contrary to the Finnish education system, in Pakistan, there are no subject specialists from grade 1 to 10, and the students are burdened with heavy books, homework, and written examinations.
According to the Finnish education system, from grade 1 to 5, the students are evaluated verbally, and from grade 6 to 9, the students are evaluated numerically. The students are not compared to each other. They are given grades. The grading system follows from 4 to 10 —- 4: fail, 5: passable, 6: fair, 7: satisfactory, 8: good, 9: very good, and 10: excellent. There are neither private schools, heavy fees nor tuitions and academies. The poor and the rich get equal education from the same teacher at the same institution.
Indeed, the majority of Pakistani students are suffering from mental depression due to securing low marks in written exams. The Rote-learning system, the plethora of subjects, the influx of languages, and different types of schools are the core hurdles in the improvement of the Pakistani education system. In Finland, from grades 1 to 9, the students are taught different skills of cooking, painting, drilling, singing, carpeting, etc. While in Pakistan, the students of the same level are taught religious injunctions, foreign languages, and the history of bias, wars, and xenophobia. In Pakistan, due to the presence of private schools and heavy fees, education has become a profitable business rather than a sacred goal or purpose.
Finnish schools have a skill-based and nature-oriented curriculum. School teachers are free in devising curriculum as per the student’s needs. Finnish students spend only three hours and forty minutes in schools. The Teacher-pupil relationships and special psychologists are an integral part of the Finnish education system. Sports, socialization, and exploration are also part of its education system and learning process. In schools, students are enrolled at the age of 7, and to the age of 13, they are exempted from conducting written examinations. For students to sit in, there are sofas in classrooms, and after every period(45 min), there is a break of 15 min. Finnish schools have a phenomenon-based or practical learning system. Finland spends 7.8% of its GDP on education. Annually, five face-to-face teacher-student-parent meetings are held. Finnish schools are considered good homes as well. Finnish schools have free nutritious meals and free transportation and free education for all students. Finnish schools are the corridors of creativity, national unity, economic prosperity, and social harmony.
In contrast to the Finnish education system, Pakistan has not yet a uniform and standard education system, and it spends only 2.5% of its GDP on education. In Pakistan, after the passage of the 18th amendment, every province has its own curriculum. Despite all odds and enthusiasms, Single National Curriculum (SNC) may prove a boon for proletarians and bane for bourgeoises. In Pakistan, to attend the class, students sit on naked payments, woolen mats, and wooden chairs. Usually, classes are overcrowded and schools have no proper sports, art, music, poetry, and entertainment facilities for students. Critical thinkings are considered a bane in classes.
In the end, Pakistan must take a leaf from the book of the Finnish education system. The Pakistani education system cannot meet the challenges of the 21st century. Pakistan is in the dire need of a science and technology-based education system than ever. Only a standard and inclusive education system may protect the country from evil eyes.
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