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Teachers are highly-educated and are given wide latitude in planning their curricula and choosing teaching methods. Finnish school system is based on a culture of trust, not control, and teachers develop their own curricula actively. "Highly educated teachers are also able to cope with the challenges of special-needs students as well. This ensures that no one is left behind," explains Heikki Alastalo, Principal at Tehtaanpuisto Comprehensive School. "Finnish school teaches students independent, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Learning is not about pouring information into one's head, it's about developing the skills to acquire information, to be creative and to expand one's understanding. It is important that students learn to assess their own work and progress," says Alastalo. Teachers and students call each other by their first name. The PISA study also confirms this. Learning differences between students are smaller than in many other countries, and there are very few students who perform poorly. Rather than comparing students against each other, the aim is to support them. Very seldom do students have to repeat a grade. Quality education for all regardless of social status Unlike many countries, children in Finland start school at the age of seven. According to the prevailing sentiment on education, early childhood is a time for play, and pushing academics early on doesn't improve academic performance. The sense of security and motivation young students have is reinforced by having just one teacher through the lower grades, and the numerical grading of student performance doesn't start until fifth grade. The relationship between teachers and students is sociable and warm; they call Think creatively, urges Principal Heikki Alastalo. 26 FOCUS
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