Turku university takes educational expertise to Georgia

Six teachers from Georgia visited the Turun normaalikoulu school and the Turku International School in August and September to learn more about Finnish education, said a press release of the University of Turku.

On 16 September, the Finnish International School opened in the city of Saguramo.

“For me, Finnish education is about endless discussion, feed-backing, and openness to innovations,” said Georgian teacher Nano Khetsuriani.

Khetsuriani and five other teachers arrived in Turku in August to learn more about Finnish education. First, they participated in the lessons at the Turun normaalikoulu school, and then transferred to the Turku International School.

The two-week training period included various activities from crocheting to coding and organising PE classes.

“It’s very interesting to look at this system from the inside,” said Sofia Cheisvili.

Cheisvili noted how independent the pupils’ behaviour was. She believes that it is also reflected in the learning outcomes. The Georgian teachers also brought up their notion that the Finnish children seem to consider school important. The joy of learning is held on to, and teaching is practical.

“It’s not just something you are forced upon, it’s something that you do willingly,” said Ksenia Kim.

The practices learned in Turku will be implemented in education in Georgia right away. At first, the classes 1 to 3 are started to be taught in the new international school, and the future goal is to extend the teaching to cover the entire comprehensive school.