Finland’s Best Students Are Not Getting Help—in the Name of Equality
12th August 2025
Finland’s celebrated education system is failing its brightest students, contributing to the country’s slipping performance in global rankings, according to a leading education expert.
Kirsi Tirri, Professor of Education at the University of Helsinki, told Helsinki Times that Finland’s emphasis on equality in schools has come at the expense of high-achieving students, who are not receiving the tailored support they need to thrive.
Tirri stressed that true equality in education does not mean treating all students the same but rather adapting teaching to individual needs, whether a student struggles or excels.