Εκπαίδευση χαρισματικών μαθητών. H περίπτωση της Φινλανδίας

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present the educational policies implemented in Finland in relation to the education of gifted students. The main objective of the Finnish educational system is to provide all citizens with equal access to education. Finland is a welfare state in which equality and inclusion are central values in educational policy.

It is impressive that there is no special education for gifted students, although teachers are expected to identify them through appropriate methods. Nevertheless, the Finnish educational system has a special structure: Teachers at all levels receive in-service academic training while differentiated instruction is being applied consistently from the kindergarten onwards. This means that all children have already been trained according to their individual developmental and learning needs, which is also the cornerstone in the education of gifted students.