Some years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Helsinki for an international conference. I was keen to visit Finland due to their much-vaunted free education system and their approach to homelessness.
I discussed both these topics firsthand with community workers, and these conversations confirmed my thinking about these two important public policy challenges that we continue to struggle with today here in Australia.
The important foundations of an extremely successful education system in Finland seem to rest on a few significant features.
Firstly, the school commencement age is 7 years old. Closely connected to the parental leave for both parents where they are available, this means that children are well socialised, confident, and prepared for the school curriculum. They are school ready.
Of course, early years education begins before school at kindergartens that are not compulsory, however at age six, one year of compulsory preschool is mandated. Preschool is for 4 hours per day and includes a meal.
Children’s early years development is supported by a flexible paid parental leave system of a standard 320 days for both parents in the first two years of the child’s birth or adoption.
The benefits of this support for parental involvement early in children’s development cannot be overstated. Coupled with the delayed school commencement age, this means that children are ready to benefit from the delivery of a structured curriculum and are demonstrably more likely to complete school at the end of high school.
The measured progression towards more generous paid parental leave in Australia must be welcomed, however we have a long way to go. The provision of improved support for early years education via increased subsidised childcare must also be seen as essential. Coupled with the support for at least one year of preschool is also pivotal. The other thing that is also essential is ensuring that children are ready for school.
Commencing at a minimum age of five should be mandatory alongside a year of preschool. Enhanced support for parents in the early years is also essential.
Getting kids off to the right start in their education is so important, particularly when we have less than desirable school completion rates here in regional NSW.
The Finnish approach to homelessness has been identified as Housing First. I will provide a more comprehensive discussion of this next time.
These issues should be at the fore of political considerations in any election process. Sadly, they are not.
Paul Sefky lives in the Nambucca Valley. He is an active executive board member of local NGOs, including Volunteering Coffs Harbour, Local Community Services Association (LCSA), Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA) and International Federation of Settlements and Neighbourhood Centres (IFS). He is also an active member and former candidate for the Australian Labor Party.
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