Finland, Education and Equality

The astonishing results achieved by the Finnish education system defy North American assumptions. There’s less homework and no standardized testing. But above all, the Finns built an education system based on equality, not on achievement: there are no private schools at any level; everyone, regardless of wealth, gets the same education. Achievement was a surprise side effect. I have two thoughts about this. First, ability isn’t genetic: brilliant children don’t just come from privileged parents; an unequal education system means wasted potential — gifted kids who can’t get a higher education. And second, elites can safely ignore the public education system’s problems if their own children aren’t affected by it.