Comparison of the Education System

in the Caribbean and Finland and to

what extent is teaching a Profession.

Theoretical interpretations
of an Educational system
The

functionalist perspective; a specialized educational agency is needed to

transmit knowledge in a rapidly changing urban and technologically based

society
The conflict theorists see schools as agencies that reproduce the current

social order, citing credentialism as one factor and the correspondence principle
as another.
Symbolic interactionists see classrooms as little worlds teeming with

behavior.

(Berger 2009 )

Stages of the Education structure in

the Caribbean
Pre-School: begins from 3years to 5

years

Primary: Begins at grade K and continues

to grade 6 when the child leaves for high

school. Students are of the ages 5- 12
years at the Primary level.

Secondary: Begins at grade 7 11 at

which students are 12-16 years

Tertiary: This includes the various

community and teachers colleges and

Universities such as the University of the
West Indies (all its four campuses),
University of Technology (UTech) among
others and Human Employment and
Resource Training/National Training
Agency (HEART/NTA). Students are
allowed entry at any age beyond
secondary.

Stages of the Education

Structure in Finland
Pre- Primary Education

which is none compulsory

for students of ages 6-7
years
Compulsory Basic education
begins at ages 7-16 years.
Secondary education
comprises of general
education and vocational
education .
Higher education, provided
by universities and
polytechnics.

EDUCATION AND EXAMS IN THE

Caribbean
In the Caribbean throughout the primary school there are various tests
and examination that are done. These include:

EDUCATION AND EXAMS IN THE

National Standardized Diagnostic Test at Grades two and four in
CARIBBEAN
St.Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and grade 3 in Jamaica

Grade 6 - Standardize Test : Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA)

Examination, it is also called GSAT in Jamaica. This test is for entry into
Secondary school

Upon leaving Secondary school an external examinations called

the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) is done.

EDUCATION AND
EXAMS IN THE
FINLAND
In Finland the main type of pupil assessment is

the continuous assessment during the course of

studies and final assessment.
Finnish Students take their first compulsory
standardize test at 16 -19 years or a Vocational
Qualification Exam. This test is called a
matriculation examination for entry into higher
education or the work force.

Comparisons of
Credentials of Teachers
Both trained and

The Caribbean
Finland
untrained
teachers are
hired as teachers
Only trained teachers are
hired as teachers.
Teacher qualification entry
Teachers from basic
level in the education
education in schools must
system starts with A-level
hold a Masters degree.
qualification.
Students are taught by the
Students most likely will
same teachers in the first six
be taught by different
years of basic education,
teachers at different
and in the last three years of
levels.
upper secondary level they
are taught by subject
teachers.

Other Comparisons
The Caribbean

Finland

Students performance are

measured by standardized
Test.
Much focus is on the Core
Subjects like Mathematics,
Reading, and Composition
Teaching is focus on
achieving desired
educational outcomes in
advance. Thus teacher
teach to the test.

Students performance is

based on a personalized
test.
Much focus is on deep and
Broad Learning
Teachers Own the
Curriculum. They draw up
their own curricula within
the framework of the
national core curriculum .

Other Comparisons
The Caribbean

Finland

Schools employ Innovations

From the Business World

Accountability of teachers

are based on High Stakes

test.
Schooling can be public or

private .

Finns rely on proven

educational techniques.
Accountability is based on

trust and responsibility.

School is strictly Public, no

private schools.

Education System Ranking for

Finland

Teaching as a Profession
Characteristics of a Profession
1. Demand the possession of specialized
knowledge and intellectual techniques.
2. Demand satisfactory initiation into a
professional culture.
3. Satisfy an indispensable social need.
4. Require its members to have a sense of
vocation and commitment to an ideal
which puts service to be rendered above
economic gain.
5. Recognise its obligation to society by
insisting that its members live up to an
established and accepted code of ethics.
6. Ensure that its members accept
responsibility for judgments made and acts
performed.
7. Be self-governing and autonomous.
(Unit 2 The Teacher in Contemporary Society (p.1213), a profession must)

When teaching is not a Profession

Teachers encounter inherent conflicts of serving as
professionals in a bureaucracy.
Professional salaries are

usually high, but teaching

salaries are standardized and
low.
Prestige has decline

compared to other profession

High rate of turn over
Tardiness
Low moral

When Teaching is a
Profession
The important quality

distinguishing profession from

other occupation is the degree of
expertise.
Teacher go through an induction

process to augment their basic

knowledge and skills.
Teachers often have professional

Development activities to continual

update their skills as the body of
skills and knowledge advance.

When Teaching is a
Profession
Teachers are not generalist, but

they possess expertise over the

body of knowledge they teach.
A Math professor will not be

allowed to teach English Language.

The distribution of power, authority

and control in the classroom is one

of the important aspects of
professionalism.

So is Teaching really a Profession?

Given the point outlined in the previous three

slides, one could conclude that teaching is

more a profession than is not.
Generally it fits most of the criteria for
professionalism.
Except in a few cases which were highlighted
when it is not. However, it is the hope that as
time goes by teaching will improve in these
areas.

References
Berge, S.A. (2009). Education Systems and Institutions. Retrieved from
faculty.ccc.edu/.../201.18%20Educational%20Systems%20%20and%20I...

Sahlberg, P. (n.d). Finland education in a nutshell Retrieved from

www.minedu.fi/export/sites/.../Finnish_education_in_a_nuttshell.pdf
The Korea Herald (2012). Koreas education system 2nd in the world. Retrieved
from http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20121128000653
University of the West Indies book of Readings. (Unit 2 The Teacher in
Contemporary Society (p.12-13), a profession must)