The past year has been like no other, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic leading to unprecedented disruption to the education sector. Schools, universities and other educational institutions around the world closed down, leaving millions of people without access to learning. However, some countries — notably Scandinavian countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland — managed to keep their educational systems up and running during the pandemic, much like they normally would. In this blog, we’ll explore how they do this, and what can be learned from them.
Scandinavian countries’ commitment to education
The educational systems in Scandinavian countries have been regarded as impressive and exemplary. Scandinavian countries invest heavily in their educational systems to ensure everyone in society has access to high quality education. The OECD ranks Nordic countries among the best in the world for education, with Denmark and Sweden both in the top 10 of the 2020 Education for All Global Alliances’ Global Education Monitoring report.
These countries recognize the importance of education — a key factor in economic growth, and a major factor in social mobility. Scandinavia countries also tend to have high levels of public support for education: in Sweden, for example, the rule of thumb is that 40 percent of the population will consistently choose to fund education initiatives. Proportionally more public money is invested in the sector than in many other countries, including the United States.
What makes their systems so successful?
The success of education systems in Scandinavia can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, these countries prioritize the importance of education in society, ensuring that they provide sufficient funding to the sector to attract and retain talented teachers. Additionally, smaller class sizes and stronger forms of teacher training allow for better individualized support.
Moreover, an emphasis is placed on the development of the whole student, with learning experiences designed to cultivate a lifelong curiosity and enjoyment of learning. There is also an emphasis on collaboration, with pupils encouraged to work together to find solutions to problems. Finally, schools are associated with a sense of community, with plenty of opportunities for parents, teachers, and students to come together to form a close-knit educational environment.
What can we learn from them?
The success of Scandinavian educational systems can teach us several lessons. Firstly, that the proper resources – including people, money and technology – are key for providing a first-rate educational experience. In many countries, more resources are dedicated to the education system than to other public services. Secondly, we should also emphasize the importance of community involvement, whether it’s in the form of parent-teacher associations or after-school activities. Such collaborations are essential in achieving educational success.
Finally, we should strive to foster a mindset of lifelong learning and curiosity in our students. It is important to have ambition, but also to enjoy the journey. The successful education systems in Scandinavia are a testament to this.
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