Benefits and Challenges of Finnish Unified Comprehensive Schools (Grades 1–9) from the Perspective of Principals and Teachers

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https://doi.org/10.59132/vviz/2020/1/33-46

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the work experience of teachers and principals at Unified Comprehensive Schools (UCS). Data was collected in Finland by means of a questionnaire from seven different UCS. The study reveals several challenges and problems in UCS, e.g.: multiple buildings, rush and time management, combining subject teacher and class teacher culture, and increased workload. Nonetheless, more than half of the teachers enjoyed their diverse working environment and would rather choose to work at UCS than at lower (grades 1–6) or upper (grades 7–9) schools only. The greatest wish for development, and the solution to many problems would be having a single-bodied school ‘under one roof.’ If the implementation of ucs is successful it shall provide much improvement for pupils; unbroken learning paths from 1st to 9th grade, easy transition from one school level to the other, familiar school environment and collaboration among pupils of different ages. As for the school administration, UCS offers a unique opportunity for efficient and economic use of teachers, classroom resources and facilities.

Povzetek

Koristi in izzivi poenotenih osnovnih šol (od 1. do 9. razreda) na Finskem z vidika ravnateljev in učiteljev

Kvalitativna študija raziskuje delovne izkušnje učiteljev in ravnateljev na poenotenih osnovnih šolah. Podatki so zbrani v sedmih takšnih šolah na Finskem, s pomočjo vprašalnikov. Študija razkriva več izzivov in težav, na primer: pouk v več poslopjih, stalno hitenje in zahtevno upravljanje s časom, združevanje kulture učiteljev in razrednikov ter povečan obseg dela. Kljub temu več kot polovica učiteljev uživa v svojem raznolikem delovnem okolju in bi se raje odločili za delo na poenoteni osnovni šoli, kot za delo izključno v nižjih (od 1. do 6.) ali višjih (od 7. do 9.) razredih. Največja želja, ki je hkrati rešitev številnih težav je šola »pod eno streho«. Uvedba takšnega sistema bi učencem ponudila kar nekaj izboljšav; neprekinjene učne poti od 1. do 9. razreda, enostaven prehod z ene šolske ravni na drugo, poznano šolsko okolje in sodelovanje med učenci različnih starosti. Kar zadeva administracijo, je to edinstvena priložnost za učinkovito in ekonomično izrabo učiteljev, prostorov in virov.