By Dr. Eduardo Andere | April 2025
Dr. Eduardo Andere is an educational analyst and the author of 18 books on learning and education policy. He currently serves as a visiting scholar at Boston College. With academic degrees in law, economics, public administration, and political science from leading institutions—including Universidad Iberoamericana, Boston University, Harvard University, and Boston College—Dr. Andere brings a rich, interdisciplinary perspective to global education discussions.
•This blog reflects insights gathered during his latest visit to Finland, shaped by two decades of research and a warm, thought-provoking conversation with Maarit Rossi, an inspiring Finnish educator and advocate for quality education worldwide.
First Impressions: A Journey That Began in 2004
I first visited Finland in April 2004. Back then, I was conducting a research program inspired by the groundbreaking PISA 2000 results. Finland had emerged as one of the top-performing countries in the world, and I was eager to see its education system up close.
At the time, Professor Jouni Välijärvi kindly arranged for me to visit a school in Kirkkonummi, in Southern Finland. My goal was to learn directly from the schools that were achieving outstanding learning outcomes and cultivating strong learning environments. That visit was the beginning of a long and rewarding journey.
Over the years, I’ve visited many Finnish schools and written extensively about the Finnish education model. In 2014, I published my first English-language book on the topic, “Teachers’ Perspectives on Finnish School Education: Creating Learning Environments” (Springer).
What Makes Finnish Education Stand Out?
From my very first visit, one thing was clear: in Finland, learning extends beyond the walls of the school. It is embedded into the fabric of society. What impressed me most was the high level of collaboration across all sectors of education—teachers, principals, researchers, policymakers, parents, and even students work together to continuously improve the system.
This collaboration is matched by the Finnish government’s willingness to listen to and act on the advice of experts. Policy decisions are often based on rigorous scientific research.
Comparing Finland with the Rest of the World
It’s not easy to compare education systems. Each country has its path to achieving its goals. However, one of Finland’s most unique features is its focus on the overall well-being of children.
Children are not only central to the learning process but also to broader developmental goals. Finnish education values the growth of the whole child—academically, emotionally, physically, and artistically.
This societal commitment to education is visible in many ways. For instance, becoming a teacher in Finland is highly competitive. Schools and libraries are often architectural highlights—true “palaces of learning” in cities and villages alike.
Second Round of Global Research
I returned to Finland a decade later as part of a new global research tour. This time, I visited 14 countries with the goal of exploring learning environments in both schools and universities.
Again, Finland stood out—not just for academic outcomes, but for the quality of learning experiences and teacher training programs.
A Deeper Dive: The 2020 Book
In 2020, I published “The Future of Schools and Teacher Education: How Far Ahead is Finland?” with Oxford University Press. This book provided a current analysis of Finnish school policy and pre-service teacher education.
So, how far ahead is Finland?
Very far—especially in terms of progressive pedagogy, teacher preparation, and the development of both physical and digital learning environments. But what I admire most is the country’s comprehensive approach to developing all types of skills:
•Cognitive skills
•Artistic and musical talents
•Manual skills
•Social and civic competencies
The 2025 Visit: Reflecting on Two Decades
Now, in 2025, I’m visiting Finland again—21 years after my first trip. My goals this time are twofold:
What have we learned in 20 years about teaching and learning in Finland?
Why is student performance declining, even in a country once considered the benchmark of global education?
These are important questions. While Finland remains a global leader, recent challenges—such as the pandemic, economic instability, and regional conflicts—have left their mark on student outcomes and teacher well-being.
Global Challenges Affect Us All
As educators, we must recognize that today’s schools are shaped by three powerful forces:
Globalization
Digitalization
The COVID-19 Pandemic
Add to that the increasing threats of war and democratic erosion, and it’s no surprise that children’s sense of safety—and their learning—are being affected. A new force is also emerging: Artificial Intelligence. Its long-term impact on education is still unknown, but we must prepare for transformations we can’t yet fully imagine.
Final Thoughts
After more than two decades of observing, analyzing, and writing about education systems across the globe, I remain deeply inspired by Finland. Its education model continues to offer valuable lessons—not because it’s perfect, but because it evolves with intention, care, and an unwavering commitment to children.
