Recipes for Systemic Change - Helsinki Design Lab

“lead users” re-frames the question from “why are these kids failing?” to“what can we learn from these students about learning in Finland?”Early 1900'sAutonomy, Independence and NationalismEducation was a means to assert a Finnish national identity and political autonomy. The focuson Finnish-language education was understood as a way forward toward full independencefrom its imperial neighbours.1950/60'sPost World War II: Economic Recovery, Expansion and the Rise of IndustryEducation was necessary to prepare a new labour force with the practical skills required inindustry and the technical expertise for government. Education helped lay the groundwork forFinland’s economic recovery and the creation and development of the welfare state.1970'sExpansion and Maturation of the Welfare SystemReforms within the structure and curriculum of the education system built upon the fundamentalguarantees of the welfare state. Consolidation of basic education into more uniformcomprehensive schools, removal of tracks and dead-end routes, creation of more formalizedsecondary education paths, and expansion of higher education all together began to fulfill thepromises of equality and equity within Finnish society.1990'sRecession and Reinvigoration and RealignmentFinland’s entry into the European Monetary Union and the collapse of the Soviet Unionbrought new and untested challenges to the Finnish economy. A severe recession required thegovernment to make cuts to many social programs. Meanwhile, funding for higher educationand research was increased, the polytechnic university system was created, and the BolognaAccords were adopted—all in order to ensure Finland’s place in the post-industrial Europeanand global economy.Key DimensionsProvided below are a number of key dimensions to the education challenge.This list is by no means exhaustive and exploration of additional dimensionsis encouraged.D1 – The Education SystemThe Education system in Finland is an ongoing project. It developedover time and has undergone significant reforms that continue to alter itsstructure, content, and methodologies. Despite more recent changes, theroot or core mission of education has not been altered: to provide knowledgeand skills for all young people, and in doing so, to cultivate activecitizens and engaged participants in Finnish society. However, as Finlandfaces new challenges within its borders and from abroad, the educationsystem must be renewed in order to remain current to meet these challenges—social,economic, and cultural.D1.1 Structure of the Education SystemThe hierarchy behind the structure of the education system in Finlandseparates the roles of the national and local government into two equallyimportant partners. At the upper level, the central government defines theoverall structure and goals for education nationwide, while at the lowerlevel, municipalities and local authorities implement the schemes.152