Finnish-ing Schools

 Motherhood changes you, doesn’t it?

I have seen (myself included) how career woman change after having their children.  We are very conscious that we cannot (ever again), give full concentration to our work since there is a greater need to focus on our child.  If you are one of the lucky ones who does not have to work full time, then you will grab the opportunity.

I met a friendly lady a few days ago called Rajee.  She is a fashion designer and she also has a 6 year old son like me.  She had a good career, but after the birth of her child, she knew it was no longer possible to concentrate on a full time career.  Although she took the decision to work from home, she realised she must now concentrate on her child’s education, health and happiness; in her words, she told me “I am designing my son’s life, now”.  And no doubt, she must be designing it with all the various Indian and international facilities available.

Being a person of two cultures, (i.e. India and the UK), I have always believed in synthesis – take what is best from both cultures and reject the rest.  I am a devotee, and believe in the principals of the great Indian saint and avatar, Ramakrishna.  His prominent disciple, Vivekanada travelled abroad and explained the truth of Vedanta, demystifying Hinduism to the Western world; it is his influence that helps me follow the philosophy of East meets West.

As I began to travel internationally in corporate organisations all over the world, I saw many aspects of various cultures that I added to my personal “portfolio”.  I wanted to be a global citizen with Vedanta as my rudder.  Many of our children will be based in India but will travel outside to work or study from time to time. It is important that their minds are not closed to other ideas.  India is leaping forward to offer a potpourri of choices, even with education boards such as the International Baccalaureate.

So, last year, I was curious to discover that Finnish schools were getting the best result in education in the developed world.  Tom Burridge a reporter of the BBC World News America, Helsinki wrote an article where more than 100 foreign delegations and governments visited Helsinki, hoping to learn the secret of their schools' success.  

Now, I am a curious sort of a creature, and, being a bit of a “Tiger Mother”, wanted to know what is the very best for my child – even if it is from a country I have never visited.  I wanted to know why, Finland's schools score consistently at the top of world rankings, yet the pupils have the fewest number of class hours in the developed world.  And I want to know how I can absorb some of this in my global portfolio for my child.

Burridge goes on to tell us that “In 2006, Finland's pupils scored the highest average results in science and reading in the whole of the developed world. In the OECD's exams for 15 year-olds, known as PISA, they also came second in maths, beaten only by teenagers in South Korea”.

And this is what I discovered:

·        No schools have ever failed in Finland.
·        The status of the teaching profession is highly regarded, and respected like a doctor.
·         The best students at university become teachers.
·         The strongest part of the Finnish system is the quality of schools.
·         The schools are the smallest in the world.
·         Pupils with learning difficulties sit with able-bodied ones; a second teacher manages any queries.
·         They invest a relatively large amount of money in Finland.
·         Finnish society has a very positive attitude to education and research.
·         The children speak their mother tongue at home.
·         Secondary and primary education is in one school so teachers develop relationships with the children. 
·         Learning foreign languages like English or French is seen as key.
·         Giving children extra help is important; in some classes, there are three teachers.
·         Teachers have to complete a Master’s degree if teaching science.
·         Acceptance of diversity in the classroom.
·         Immigration is low, thus, there are few language problems when children commence school.
·         Children will start school at 7 years old.
·         Schools decide how to teach – not the politicians.
·         Trust plays a large role between teachers and pupils, and teachers and politicians.

It is an incredible success story with a simple philosophy.  To me, it smacks of quality rather than quantity, and gives a huge respect for both educators and the education system.  The government in Finland seem to put a great deal of trust in the teachers, and the results show.

So, my dear friends and fellow mothers, how do you intend to nurture your young ones so they may bloom where ever they go?  Will you look carefully, and create global citizens? Will you add seeds from other countries to your child’s philosophy portfolio? 

Then, tell me - how does your garden grow?

Living the Lingua Franca

Did you know that over the ages, some Indian words have popped into the English language?  Have you heard of the word VERANDA or BUNGALOW?  Do you wish you could visit the JUNGLE or do you feel smug or snug as you pull on your English PYJAMAS?  These words have slowly, like dusk turning to dark, crept into the English language as we know it. 

Some people in India object to English being the Lingua Franca or common language.  I think this is partly due to the memory of British rule in India.  I believe whole-heartedly in swaraj and swadesh (self-rule and self-governance) and I also feel strongly in being able to speak an Indian language/mother tongue, but history is different and offers little choice.  It is irreversible and leaves its marks on all cultures.  England has been invaded by the Vikings, the Romans, and the French among many; thus, the English language contains words and derivatives from these cultures, too.  Just as the courtly language of India before the British invaded was Persian, the courtly language of medieval England was French.

In a country such as India where there are so many regional languages, it is English that unites individuals and not Hindi.  This is particularly true of the middle classes who work in international offices.  Outside India, Hindi is not really used.  Professionals, now have to know, perfect or learn English.   It has become a necessity because we live in a global environment.  English connects with everyone in India and in the world.  Even students are exposed to the language because of the explosion in the education sector, particularly with English medium schools.  Take a look at your book shelves; how many books do you have in Hindi and how many in English?  I am sure the latter outweighs the former.  All higher studies (apart from languages) are conducted in English.  Without a good knowledge of English, how will you conduct trade, administer law and government service?   English is absolutely necessary for anyone entering government services, trade or the legal profession. Lawyers cannot even plead in the upper courts without it.

I have always felt to change a system, takes time.  I am opposed to the “bull in a china shop” method.  To create change, a “softly, softly” approach is needed.   As India emerges as a global player, more and more Indian words will be added to the English language and we will have a happier medium where people will understand and appreciate the nuances of each language. 

But, you know, this is the age of convergence; if your child wants to look beyond the home shores, perhaps, to study abroad later, or to work in many countries while having a base in India, then you will have to assist them in being a global citizen.  

For that, your child will need to know the global language - WELL.