PhD/EdD 303: Seminar in Educational Psychology

Saturday, 8:00 11:00 a.m., Rm. CB 109

Professor: Nora L. Licup, Ph.D.

REFLECTION PAPER : TOP OF THE CLASS

Submitted by: Randy B. Blanza

The principal goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who
are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done.
- Jean Piaget

Finlands model on how to educate their students is worthy of emulation for other
countries, especially the Philippines. We have been taught that individuals are distinct from each
other. Even an identical twin possesses attitudes, talents and other personality traits that contrast
with one another. The notion to give them similar activities, expose with same learning conditions
and the like, will expectedly not address the need to maximize their individual potentials.

The Finland Phenomenon, was the name given to the Finlands educational system. It
was listed as the most successful educational system in the world, and watched intently by other
counties who desire to adopt them. The quantifiable data to show the result of their system
Finnish schools were not only at the top of the academically among Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries but also succeeded better in educating less gifted
pupils and significantly reducing academic differences between boys and girls. To put is simply,
Finnish schools left no child behinds.

I find the article very interesting and informative. The individuality of each student shall
be the utmost consideration in developing his/her study plan. Finlands model directly addresses
this paramount concern. Each student, helped by their parents and teachers, set the goal that fits
him/her, so the motivation stay high. When similar system will be adopted in the Philippines, we
could envision the discovery of talents in different fields, which is hardly attainable in the current
educational structure of the country that relies to methods that are applied to every student,
regardless of their innate interests.

Finland has proven that the system works despite expenditures for education has been
controlled. The Philippines takes it pride for having English-speaking working force and a high
degree of literacy rate in the region. Higher spending on education could be prioritized to improve
these positive qualities of our students who will later join the labor force of the country.

Finally, worthy of citing are the factors that Finns attribute their success. They are (a)
Finnish teachers are among the best trained in the world; (b) standardized testing is shunned; (c)
students are taught to evaluate themselves; (d) students are encouraged to work independently; (e)
school atmosphere is flexible and easy-going; and (f) slow learners receive intense support,

I enjoyed reading the article. It allowed me to critically reflect upon the way the education
is delivered in the Philippines. It likewise gave me idea on how to somehow improve the learning
conditions for the students in the community college I am connected now. The author, Fergus
Borewich, presented valuable information that will help me progress with my understanding on
the role of faculty members as well as administrators, in the development of our students.