From Competition to Global Excellence in Education: The FESIN Approach
A quality-driven understanding of competition in education not only helps institutions improve their own performance but also lays the foundation for sustainable growth on a broader scale. Today, quality is no longer merely a factor of differentiation; it is a strategic investment that builds long-term trust and fuels social progress. At the Finnish Education System Institute (FESIN), we work to turn this understanding into a systematic culture of improvement across all our member schools. Each training session, observation, and development plan is part of a school’s journey of rediscovery and future readiness. The FESIN approach, which aligns educational quality standards with universal values, enables institutions not only to manage the present but also to lead the future. In this context, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) “Future of Jobs – Skills for 2030” framework clearly identifies the key competencies required for success in the coming decades: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and learning-to-learn skills. None of these competencies can be developed solely during secondary or higher education; their foundations are laid during early childhood.
In the first years of life, children acquire not only basic knowledge and habits but also the core traits of leadership — curiosity, questioning, imagination, and responsibility. Therefore, early childhood education is not merely the beginning of a child’s learning journey; it is the first stage in shaping the entrepreneurs, researchers, artists, and leaders of tomorrow. As the FESIN Global Schools Network, we proudly support every school that embraces this vision. Through development-oriented quality audits, teacher training programs, leadership initiatives, and internationally benchmarked monitoring systems, we aim to enhance the brand value, competitiveness, and sustainability of educational institutions. Competition based on quality is not a race between institutions — it is each school’s pursuit of its best possible version. Every school that advances with this mindset transforms not only its students but also the future of its community. At FESIN, we are proud to stand beside every school on this journey toward excellence.
The Finnish Approach to Education: A Journey Where Learning Meets Happiness
The Finnish approach to education focuses not only on what children learn, but also on how they learn, how they feel while learning, and how they turn learning into a way of life. Its most profound impact can be seen during early childhood, when a child’s curiosity, confidence, and lifelong learning habits begin to take shape. In this philosophy, education does not prepare children for competition — it prepares them for life. Instead of filling minds with information, it nurtures a love for learning. Competition gives way to collaboration, and memorization to discovery. Play-based learning, connection with nature, respect for individuality, and teacher guidance lie at the heart of this philosophy. Each child learns at their own pace and discovers their potential naturally. At FESIN, we work meticulously to adapt the Finnish approach to education within our member schools in Türkiye. Our teacher development programs, quality evaluations, and classroom observation processes are all designed to enhance children’s joy of learning, strengthen teachers’ role as guides, and transform school culture into a holistic learning environment.
The impact of this approach extends beyond the classroom; it also transforms the way schools communicate with families. Learning is no longer centered solely on the child — it also embraces the family’s journey to understand the child. Parents become more involved in their children’s development, gain trust in the school’s educational philosophy, and develop a stronger sense of belonging. Over time, the school becomes not just an educational institution but a shared space of values. This strengthens institutional engagement, communication, and the overall school climate. The results consistently remind us of one simple truth: A happy child learns. A curious child creates. A free-thinking child changes the future. At FESIN, we are proud to carry this belief — inspired by the Finnish approach to education — into every child’s learning journey.
Source: Finnish Education System Institute (FESIN), Monthly Bulletin 2025
