Teacher Student Union of Finland - SOOL

Special-interest organization of all teacher students in Finland

Teacher Student Union of Finland, SOOL, is a national umbrella organization of all teacher students in Finland. SOOL aims to promote the co-operation of future professionals of education in order to improve teacher training. SOOL also looks after the juridical and educational interests of its members and works to improve their studying conditions and social status.

SOOL has over 7,000 members, who represent all the different student groups within the field of education. Largest groups are those studying to become pre-school teachers, classroom teachers, subject teachers, special education teachers, and counselors. SOOL membership is open to all students in the field of education, who are members of one of our 43 member associations.

In practice, SOOL gathers together students of different groups to consider the present and the future of teacher training. We guide and counsel member associations and organize training and seminars. In addition, we keep our members informed about current topics concerning teacher training, and work for the future of education in wide co-operation with different authorities.

SOOL also offers valuable members' benefits to every member.

Members' benefits

SOOL membership fee for the academic year 2011-2012 is 22 EUR, which entitles to following benefits:

• Member services, legal guidance, free seminars
• Opettaja and Soolibooli magazines
• Insurance benefits and discounts
• Possibility to join teachers' unemployment fund while studying
• Pocket calender, fuel discounts, travel and hotel discounts etc. etc.

The Finnish school system

Teacher education in Finland

Teacher training in Finland is arranged by universities and vocational institutes of higher education.

Pre-school teachers get a bachelor's degree in educational science, the extent of which is 180 credits (ETCS). This degree qualifies to serve as a kindergarten teacher and as a pre-school teacher.

Classroom teachers get a master's degree in educational science (ETCS 300 cr). This degree qualifies to serve as a classroom teacher and as a pre-school teacher. The compulsory education in Finland lasts nine years, from the age of 7 to the age of 16.

Subject teachers get a Master's degree, the extent of which is 300 credits (ETCS). There are two possibilities to get in to the subject teacher education. The more common way is to start studying the subject at the university first and then later the pedagogical studies. After these pedagogical studies one is qualified to teach the subject in question. The other way is to apply directly to the subject teacher education. This direct selection to teacher education is getting more common, but so far it is only possible in few subjects.

Special-education teachers get a Master's degree in educational science (ETCS 300 cr). This degree qualifies to serve as a special-education teacher in comprehensive schools, and as a classroom teacher.

Vocational school teachers as a rule get a degree at a university or at a vocational institute of higher education, then they work for a few years, and after that they do the pedagogical studies at a vocational institute of higher education to qualify to serve as teachers.