Adults' Numeracy in Finland: What Do We Know About It?

• Published in: Adult learning (Washington, D.C.) Vol. 19; no. 3-4; pp. 42 - 46
• Main Authors: Hassi, Marja-Liisa, Hannula, Aino, Nevado, Laia Saló i
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.06.2008; American Association for Adult and Continuing Education; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adult Education; Adult Learning; Adult Vocational Education; Adults; Basic Skills; Core curriculum; Democracy; Economic Progress; Educational Objectives; Employment; Finland; Foreign Countries; General Education; Independent study; Mathematics; Mathematics Education; Mathematics Skills; NGOs; Nongovernmental organizations; Numeracy; Older Adults; Participation; Physical education; Program for International Student Assessment; Public Policy; Schools; Secondary Education; Social Development; Social policy; Society; Studies; Study Centers; Finland
• ISSN: 1045-1595; 2162-4070
• DOI: 10.1177/104515950801900309

Adult education has become a significant aspect of Finnish educational and developmental policy as well as of Finnish labor and social policies. Such factors as the need for occupational proficiency, employment, and economic growth have strongly influenced adult education in Finland. Besides the development of personality and support for the life of communities, principles such as the development and support of a democratic society, an increase in social cohesion, and the creation of opportunities for citizens' welfare have been expressed as current principles of Finnish adult education. The education settings that offer adults opportunities to improve their basic skills in mathematics are tightly connected to the overall Finnish education system and education tradition. In this article, the authors discuss the challenges for Finnish adult education and contrast Finland's first place ranking on the international assessment of mathematics skills, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), with the country's challenges of a future labor shortage and a need to educate large numbers of older adults with low numeracy levels.