Compare and Contrast the Education Systems: Finland and South Korea

One of the important aspects in the process of life and self-development is

"compare". We, consciously or unconsciously, basically always assess ourselves by

looking at the same aspects of life aspect on other people. Without comparison, the process

of life will probably run sluggish, or maybe almost never change for the better good. So

now, let’s compare the education systems of 2 different countries! Here, we have Finland

and South Korea.

1. Finland

Geographically, Finland is a Scandinavian country in North Europe. A quarter of

its territory is around the Arctic Ocean Circle (area near with the north polar zone with

climatic conditions that are almost the same as the polar climate). Thus the inhabitants of

this zone must able to adapt to nature. The residents of this small country must be able to

maximize the utilization of all their potential for maintain and improve their lives. After so

many challenges, including colonialization they went through, Finland officially became

part of the European community in March 1992. The official name of the country is the

Republic of Finland.

Finland is one of the countries in the list of the countries with the best education.

The main goal of Finland's education policy is to raise the level of education and to offer

equal educational opportunities to all citizens, regardless of their place of residence, wealth,

mother tongue or sex (UNESCO). First, the provisions on basic education guarantee the

right of everyone to get basic education for free. Second, public officials are also obliged

to ensure that everyone have the same opportunity in obtaining other education apart from
basic education according to special abilities and needs. Every teacher in Finland must

have at least a master's degree or master's degree.

To get a master's degree, students must complete 5 years of research-based

education emphasizing pedagogic knowledge. Before graduating, students must also

participate in an internship for one full year teaching at a cooperating school with the

university where they study. These schools are model schools, where teachers and

researchers develop new methods and conduct research on teaching and learning. We can

see that teachers are considered a very essential part of education. In terms of the

curriculum, the government only makes guidelines in the form of goals and teachers are

given the freedom on how to achieve these targets. Teachers are free to use any teaching

method or textbook. There is nothing standardized in education in Finland as opposed to

creativity.

2. South Korea

The Republic of South Korea which was founded in 1948 is located in the mainland

peninsula of East Asia. The South Korean government system is centralized. With this

centralized system, government policies included in the field of education can take place

without the approval of the legislature regions. The power and authority are delegated to

the minister of education. In the area there is a board of education (board of education).

One of the decisions of the National Council of the Republic of Korea of 1948 is drafting

education laws. In this regard, then the goal of South Korean education is to instill in

everyone sense of National Identity and respect for National sovereignty. There are two

types of teacher education: elementary school teachers, and four-year teacher education for

teachers in secondary school. The reformed educational curriculum has been implemented
since 1970s by coordinating technical learning in the classroom and the use of technology,

done by the teachers, the work include teaching planning, student diagnosis, guide students

to learn with various programs, test and assess learning outcomes.

Compare and contrast

Finland South Korea

Teacher Qualification Master’s degree within Regular certification

certain process

Teacher’s role Develop the educational Implement the curriculum

goals into implementation

Purpose focus The education itself – Nationalism

achieved by every member

of the country

Students-teacher In the classroom with 12 Regular system – different

relationship students only, teachers are teacher for every level

going to stick around

during the elementary

phase to get to know each

student emotionally and

psychologically

I believe that teacher’s quality is very important for the education activities.

However, educational background is not everything. The heart that loves and willingness

to improve matter more. Communication is a significant factor in the best pedagogical

So I think I’m with Finland on this point. I also believe that democracy in education is not

only for the students but also for the teachers. The educational environment is the best

society and society is a democratic society, because every opportunity to work is in it

(Dewey, 1916). I’m also with Finland on this. And what’s great is that the teachers are

prepared for such freedom. They were trained well and are given the opportunity to develop

in the field!

Reference

Dewey, J. (1916). Democracy and education. Teddington: Echo Library. Teddington: Echo

Library.

Petrie, P. (2011). Communication skills for working with children and young People:

introducing social pedagogy (3rd ed.). London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

National Council of the Republic of Korea of 1948

UNESCO

(2021, July 1, UNESCO).

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