New teaching model proposed to support early-career educators in Finland
A new approach to teacher training in Finland would pair inexperienced educators with veteran colleagues to ease their transition into the profession, according to a proposal by the country’s first professor of working life in education.
Olli Luukkainen, recently appointed to the newly created role at the University of Jyväskylä, suggests that early-career teachers should work alongside experienced mentors for one to two years. The model, inspired by practices in Norway, aims to reduce burnout and improve retention among new educators.
His proposal follows an OECD report indicating that one in four Finnish teachers under 30 has considered leaving the profession. A separate study by the municipal pension institution Keva found that young teachers experience higher workload stress than other public-sector employees in the same age group.
Student teachers at the University of Jyväskylä support the idea. Veera Hynninen, chair of the student organisation Pedago, said practical guidance from a mentor would help bridge the gap between theory and classroom reality. “I would need advice on everyday teaching challenges,” she said. “A mentor would make the transition into working life smoother.”
Fellow student Jimi Rytkönen noted that university training often focuses on research methods rather than hands-on teaching skills. “Combining academic theory with real-world practice remains unclear,” he said, adding that scientific approaches should also be integrated into daily school routines.
Luukkainen acknowledged Finland’s declining PISA scores but stressed that schools must balance academic performance with broader goals. “Our primary task is supporting human development,” he said, calling for greater emphasis on fostering hope, community, and self-belief among students. He warned, however, that lowering standards is not the solution: “We must reverse the current trend of reducing expectations when children fall short of previous achievement levels.”