Press Release
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT GOVT OF SIKKIM, GANGTOK
Information & Public Relations Department
Dated: 08/05/2025
PRESS RELEASE
Sikkim Education Delegation Studies Finland's World-Class Education System to Transform Learning in the Himalayan State:
Helsinki / Jyväskylä, Finland | 22ND April, 2025 to 1st May, 2025.
In a major step toward transforming education in Sikkim, a high-level delegation from the Government of Sikkim undertook an official visit to the University of Jyväskylä, Central Finland—Finland's premier teacher education institution since 1863—to study one of the world's most successful and inclusive education systems. Notably, Finland currently ranks #1 in Europe for teacher satisfaction, according to the OECD 2023 report.
This forward-thinking initiative was envisioned by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), and the delegation was led by the Hon’ble Minister for Education, Shri Raju Basnett. The visit is a part of the Government’s vision to bring global best practices to Sikkim’s education sector.
Delegation Members:
• Hon’ble Shri Raju Basnett, Minister for Education
• Shri Tashi Chopel, Secretary – School Education
• Mrs. Tseringkee Chingapa, Director – School Education
Diplomatic Engagements:
Upon arrival in Helsinki on the 22nd of April, 2025, the delegation held a cordial and constructive dinner meeting with:
• Shri H.H. Kotalwar, Ambassador of India to Finland
• Shri Mayank Goel, First Secretary and Head of Chancery
• Shri Raju Kumar, Attaché (Administrator, Consular and Community Affairs)
The following activities were conducted from the 23rd April, 2025 onwards expertly coordinated by Miss Apoorwa Hooda, Grant Researcher, Faculty of Education & Psychology and Mr. Samuel Madtha, Project Researcher, Faculty of Information Technology, from the University of Jyväskylä:
Comprehensive Education Programme at University of Jyväskylä, Central Finland:
Early Education Immersion
• Visits to Finnish kindergartens and primary schools
• Exploration of Finland's globally recognized Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) model
Academic Leadership Exchange
• Interaction with Professor Marja-Leena Laakso, Vice-Chancellor
Session on Finnish Teacher education by Dr. Heidi Layne, Senior Lecturer,
School Observations
• Classroom visits across Finnish basic schools (Grades 1–9) and upper secondary schools (Grades 10 –12).
Observations on inclusive education practices and formative assessments and interactions with the teachers and the principals
Specialized Workshops
• In-depth session on the Finnish upper secondary education, interdisciplinary learning, and STEAM integration.
Workshop led by Professor Anna-Maija Poikkeus.
Cultural Integration
• Educational visit to the Jyväskylä Art Museum, reinforcing the link between creativity and learning.
Key Learnings from the Visit
• During the visit to the University of Jyväskylä and schools in Jyväskylä, the Sikkim delegation engaged in in-depth discussions and reviewed Finland’s holistic and globally respected education system. The key takeaways included:
• Single-structure schooling with no academic dead ends, ensuring all students have pathways to continue learning.
• Highly inclusive and child-centric pedagogy, with strong emphasis on equity, well-being, and special educational support within mainstream education.
• Teacher autonomy and trust-based governance, where educators enjoy high professional respect and freedom in choosing teaching methods and materials.
• Minimal reliance on standardized testing, with formative assessments embedded in daily learning.
• Research-driven teacher education, requiring a Master’s degree for most teaching roles and encouraging continuous professional development.
• Vocational education aligned with real-world competencies, developed in collaboration with industry and tailored to individual learner needs.
• Publicly funded education system, ensuring free schooling (including meals and transportation) and accessible higher education.
• Local curriculum flexibility, where municipalities and schools adapt the national core framework to local contexts and needs.
• Quality assurance through development and self-evaluation, not inspection or ranking.
Reflections and Way Forward:
The Hon’ble Minister Shri Raju Basnett stated: “Our dinner meeting with Indian diplomatic officials and subsequent engagements with Finnish educators at this world-renowned institution have provided invaluable insights for Sikkim's education transformation, as envisioned by our Hon’ble Chief Minister. Finland’s achievement of being ranked #1 in Europe for teacher satisfaction is particularly inspiring as we work to enhance our own education system.”
The delegation aims to submit comprehensive policy recommendations with a primary focus on early education reform, teacher training models, and the promotion of trust-based, learner-centric pedagogy.
Tseringkee Chingapa,
Director-School Education & Planning,
Department of School Education,
Government of Sikkim
PRESS RELEASE
Sikkim Education Delegation Studies Finland's World-Class Education System to Transform Learning in the Himalayan State:
Helsinki / Jyväskylä, Finland | 22ND April, 2025 to 1st May, 2025.
In a major step toward transforming education in Sikkim, a high-level delegation from the Government of Sikkim undertook an official visit to the University of Jyväskylä, Central Finland—Finland's premier teacher education institution since 1863—to study one of the world's most successful and inclusive education systems. Notably, Finland currently ranks #1 in Europe for teacher satisfaction, according to the OECD 2023 report.
This forward-thinking initiative was envisioned by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), and the delegation was led by the Hon’ble Minister for Education, Shri Raju Basnett. The visit is a part of the Government’s vision to bring global best practices to Sikkim’s education sector.
Delegation Members:
• Hon’ble Shri Raju Basnett, Minister for Education
• Shri Tashi Chopel, Secretary – School Education
• Mrs. Tseringkee Chingapa, Director – School Education
Diplomatic Engagements:
Upon arrival in Helsinki on the 22nd of April, 2025, the delegation held a cordial and constructive dinner meeting with:
• Shri H.H. Kotalwar, Ambassador of India to Finland
• Shri Mayank Goel, First Secretary and Head of Chancery
• Shri Raju Kumar, Attaché (Administrator, Consular and Community Affairs)
The following activities were conducted from the 23rd April, 2025 onwards expertly coordinated by Miss Apoorwa Hooda, Grant Researcher, Faculty of Education & Psychology and Mr. Samuel Madtha, Project Researcher, Faculty of Information Technology, from the University of Jyväskylä:
Comprehensive Education Programme at University of Jyväskylä, Central Finland:
Early Education Immersion
• Visits to Finnish kindergartens and primary schools
• Exploration of Finland's globally recognized Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) model
Academic Leadership Exchange
• Interaction with Professor Marja-Leena Laakso, Vice-Chancellor
Session on Finnish Teacher education by Dr. Heidi Layne, Senior Lecturer,
School Observations
• Classroom visits across Finnish basic schools (Grades 1–9) and upper secondary schools (Grades 10 –12).
Observations on inclusive education practices and formative assessments and interactions with the teachers and the principals
Specialized Workshops
• In-depth session on the Finnish upper secondary education, interdisciplinary learning, and STEAM integration.
Workshop led by Professor Anna-Maija Poikkeus.
Cultural Integration
• Educational visit to the Jyväskylä Art Museum, reinforcing the link between creativity and learning.
Key Learnings from the Visit
• During the visit to the University of Jyväskylä and schools in Jyväskylä, the Sikkim delegation engaged in in-depth discussions and reviewed Finland’s holistic and globally respected education system. The key takeaways included:
• Single-structure schooling with no academic dead ends, ensuring all students have pathways to continue learning.
• Highly inclusive and child-centric pedagogy, with strong emphasis on equity, well-being, and special educational support within mainstream education.
• Teacher autonomy and trust-based governance, where educators enjoy high professional respect and freedom in choosing teaching methods and materials.
• Minimal reliance on standardized testing, with formative assessments embedded in daily learning.
• Research-driven teacher education, requiring a Master’s degree for most teaching roles and encouraging continuous professional development.
• Vocational education aligned with real-world competencies, developed in collaboration with industry and tailored to individual learner needs.
• Publicly funded education system, ensuring free schooling (including meals and transportation) and accessible higher education.
• Local curriculum flexibility, where municipalities and schools adapt the national core framework to local contexts and needs.
• Quality assurance through development and self-evaluation, not inspection or ranking.
Reflections and Way Forward:
The Hon’ble Minister Shri Raju Basnett stated: “Our dinner meeting with Indian diplomatic officials and subsequent engagements with Finnish educators at this world-renowned institution have provided invaluable insights for Sikkim's education transformation, as envisioned by our Hon’ble Chief Minister. Finland’s achievement of being ranked #1 in Europe for teacher satisfaction is particularly inspiring as we work to enhance our own education system.”
The delegation aims to submit comprehensive policy recommendations with a primary focus on early education reform, teacher training models, and the promotion of trust-based, learner-centric pedagogy.
Tseringkee Chingapa,
Director-School Education & Planning,
Department of School Education,
Government of Sikkim