The Precedence of a Nation for Shaping Student Education

As I explored the top ten countries leading in education in the world, I recognized that Scandinavian; Nordic countries like Finland have traditionally led the world in education in the top five percent. This country located in Northern Europe is an educational super-power with policies that truly embrace equality with its principles and philosophy. One's policies cannot just use the words that no child is being left behind resulting in some children as winners, and some losers while the same opportunities are obviously not available to all students.  Curious to explore the people of the Scandinavia countries, I learned that although Finland and Sweden are still leading the world, they have had challenges of losing their competitive edge in education to other East Asian nations where students learn under pressure, cramming learning under long hours, and rote memorization.

 Republicans in America despise that democrats in the present presidential election speak of equality in education, as republicans seek to negatively associate democratic ideas with socialism. The disparity between the rich and the majority of citizens in the United States is obviously shameful, as the egocentric, and self-seeking have run this nation for far too long. To provide tax breaks for the already rich and to ignore citizens leaving inequitable learning conditions leaves a blight on our democracy.  Trickledown economics does not work. Unfortunately, greed, apathy, and reprehensible practices for economics, and caring for the citizens of this nation of the United States have dominated our society. However, fair educational practices can help to equalize many economic issues if opportunity is allotted regardless of race and gender.  So many practices of the United States are intended to perpetuate classes of people, but the leaders must be about equality. None of the reforms have ever been for real equality for all people. Many detest the idea of equality because they want to maintain supremacy but it's time for change.

The Scandinavian country Finland is known as a super-power in education because of an emphasis on equality even over excellence. They engage students in creative play and assign less homework compared to East Asian models. The Finnish have no private schools, or universities, as none are allowed to charge tuition. Finland has no standardized tests except a voluntary test taken in high school. Teachers evaluate students and create their own tests and as for teacher evaluation and accountability, teachers are responsible. Finland ensures that teachers are highly respected, paid well and given lots of responsibility. The impetus of educational policy in schools is not competition but rather cooperation. In regard to school choice, all schools are the same so the choices are not for something better. All students having the same education opportunity promotes social equality and not a star pupil contrary to the approaches in American society.

Curious to know more about the Scandinavian people, I was surprised to learn that among the beautiful Scandinavian people are also found the most dangerous people of the world including Islamic extremist of Isis. Many have been said to travel from Sweden to join Isis. Literally thousands of Scandavian teens have joined Isis and even German teens and thousands of Europeans have become sympathizers to Isis and are joining to help build the Islamic state; ISIS/Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham.

Overwhelming levels of hate and terrorism occurring in Syria and Iraq with approximately 20 to 25,000 young fighters, are motivated by the belief that they are key agents to the upcoming apocalypse. My questions arise regarding the education the people of Scandinavia receive and the religion of the area. I personally wanted to know what religious beliefs they have, and what they are taught that breeds terroristic behaviors. I found that Lutheran Christianity is the dominant religion in Sweden, having 6.2 million members. Islam is practiced by 5.2% of the people and is the second largest religion in Sweden. Atheism and Agnosticism are also wide spread in Sweden. A poll taken identified only 18% of the people believe that God exist and 45% believe in a kind of spirit or life source. Only 15% of the church believe in Jesus as 15% are atheist. In Finland, three quarters of the people are Evangelical Lutheran; the state religion, and the Finnish Orthodox which one percent of the people belong. Muslim and Judaism are also practiced in Finland.

I conclude by saying that the systems of the United States do not represent the Christian beliefs that we like to claim. The demographic data shows that 70.6 percent of Americans are Christians in the U.S. We are a Christian nation who does not represent Christian values.  Inequality and social justice remain a massive problem in the United States. Many leaders and policy makers do not uphold equality which is why our laws do not represent what we say we believe. Electing people to lead our society because they are rich or hold a high position in their community will not solve problems related to education. We must seek out stakeholder who will uphold human rights, dignity, equality, and social justice. We must seek people who are genuine and not who pretend to care; if we will preserve a humane society. I believe we should consider the values of Finland for equality in education, and see how success has resulted by caring about all of their citizens.

                                                                       Reference

Partanen, A. (2011). What Americans keep ignoring about Finland’s school success.                                              The Atlantic. http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/12/what-                                               americans-keep-ignoring-about-finlands-school-success/250564/