"Its all about raising student achievement" - yeah right!

It is all about money.

I've tried very hard to keep these posts apolitical and focus on educational issues.

It's getting harder.

It is now becoming increasingly obvious that National Standards was really a rouse designed to destabilize the teaching profession in order to privatize schools so that corporates can make more money.

The global financial outlook is bleak. Education is big business. Keep an eye on the new business strategies of Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch and others....all keen educationalists!

It is all about money (and Hekia should feature on the next Tui bill board.)

Charter Schools

The Finnish line?

Some facts about Finland’s education system, widely regarded as the best in the world. They decided to tackle social inequality before rubbishing their schools and their teachers....

Facts About The Finnish Education System

• All education is 100% publicly funded in Finland.
• All school materials (books, pencils, etc) are provided and are free.
• Dental and health care is free.
• Travel to and from school is free.
• Compulsory schooling starts the year the child turns 7 years old.
• Students have the same teacher from year 1 to year 6, then specialist teachers for the final 3 years.
• There is no testing until children are 15 years old.
• Only the core curricula are designed for nationwide application. They leave freedom for local education authorities to arrange teaching in the best way suited to local circumstances.
• There are no national standards.
• Every child is fed a hot 3 course meal every day at school.
• Every school has a doctor, a nurse, and a counsellor on site.
• Teachers have less student contact time and more teacher-teacher contact time.
• The schools day is shorter.
• School is 150 days per year.
• All teachers have a masters degree and a further teaching qualification.
• There are no school inspections in Finland.