Have you ever heard of Finland’s educational revolution? Finland, known for its stunning natural beauty, once faced a high suicide rate among its students. Instead of giving up, Finland took bold steps to revolutionize its education system.

In the past, Finland’s high student suicide rates were a cause for concern. The government realized that the academic and competency-driven education system had placed immense pressure on students. This crisis prompted Finland to conduct a thorough evaluation of its education system.

One revolutionary step Finland took was shifting its focus from academic achievement to character development. Emotional intelligence, social skills, and adaptability were deemed equally important as intellectual intelligence. Students were taught values like empathy, cooperation, and problem-solving skills.

Finland’s curriculum is designed to be enjoyable and relevant to students’ lives. Lessons are delivered interactively, involving students actively. Students are also given the freedom to explore their interests and talents, making the learning process more meaningful and motivating.

In addition to focusing on character development, Finland highly values and respects its teachers. The selection process for teachers is rigorous, and they undergo intensive training. Teachers are given autonomy to develop innovative teaching methods tailored to students’ needs. This sense of appreciation and high motivation among teachers leads to them giving their best to students.

Finland promotes collaboration between students and teachers rather than fierce competition. Collaboration is seen as key to success in facing real-world challenges. Finland is committed to providing equal access to education for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Inclusive learning environments in Finnish schools support every student in reaching their full potential.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, there are various challenges in education, such as disparities in educational quality between urban and rural areas, low literacy and numeracy rates, and inadequate teacher welfare. Teachers’ well-being, including facilities, salaries, and benefits, is not fully addressed. Moreover, the lack of serious support for teachers in enhancing dedication and innovative teaching makes them struggle with the education system.

Finland’s success offers valuable lessons for Indonesia, emphasizing the need to focus on character development, design relevant curricula, improve teacher quality, promote collaboration, and ensure equal access to education.

Finland’s educational transformation proves that with strong commitment and appropriate policies, we can create a high-quality education system that produces intelligent, creative, and character-driven young generations. Indonesia could benefit from learning from Finland’s success and implementing comprehensive education reforms.