An Inspiring School Day : An Effort to Transform Research Findings into Policy

Abstract

This paper is a description of a report that the author prepared in the winter of 2015 at the request of the Minister of Education in the previous government of Finland. The purpose of the report was to collect information based on research and effective practices on the impacts on student well-being of a flexible school day and to make development proposals concerning an appropriate structure for a school day that would encompass lessons, club activities, and morning and afternoon activities. The report found indications of strong pressures to modify the school day. Research results concerning the significance to student well-being of activities organized at school outside the actual lessons were unreservedly positive from the perspective of academic success, the students’ personal development and the community. The report was completed before the election of the present Parliament in the spring of 2015; it proposed an action plan for the new government. The key proposal was that one hour of freely selected and voluntary club activities should be included in the school day of each student. The present Minister of Education is aiming to include more cultural activities and physical exercise into the school day.