Leading Change in Education: Insights from Ari Pokka
Note by ND Lama, November 29th, 2024
At the 3rd International Education Conference organized by PABSON, Ari Pokka, a distinguished Finnish education expert and CEO of the Finnish Education Institute, delivered a compelling session on leading change in education. His decades of experience in educational leadership brought forth valuable insights on how educators and institutions can adapt to the evolving demands of the 21st century.
The Need for Change
Pokka began by emphasizing the global transition we are experiencing—comparable in scale to the post-World War II era. He highlighted the challenges faced by today’s students, including the dominance of social media, an uncertain future, globalization, environmental sustainability, and the post-pandemic shift in values. “No one can escape this change,” he quoted, stressing the urgency for education systems to evolve accordingly(Leading a change NEPAL).
What to Leave Behind
He argued for abandoning outdated practices in education, such as:
- Top-down organizational structures.
- Centralized decision-making.
- Powerless, indirect leadership.
- Knowledge-only theoretical approaches.
- Reactive, necessity-driven change rather than proactive transformation (Leading a change NEPAL).
From Knowledge to Competence
One of the key points Pokka made was the global shift from a knowledge-oriented learning culture to one focused on competencies and skills. He advocated for:
- Versatile evaluations instead of excessive testing.
- Promoting personal responsibility over external control.
- Fostering distributed leadership.
- Encouraging active participation from learners as stakeholders (Leading a change NEPAL).
21st-Century Leadership
For educational leaders, Pokka stressed the importance of balancing vision with action. The role of a principal, he stated, is pivotal in translating educational visions into missions and actionable strategies. Key skills for 21st-century leaders include:
- Empathy and social interaction.
- Flexibility in changing working models.
- Creativity and supporting changemakers.
- Avoiding complacency in “best practices” and embracing innovation (Leading a change NEPAL).
Why Finland Stands Out
Pokka also shed light on Finland’s education system, often hailed as a global benchmark:
- Teachers and principals hold university-based qualifications.
- Schools enjoy autonomy with minimal hierarchy.
- Collaboration replaces competition, creating trust and partnership.
- The absence of external evaluations and inspections since the 1980s fosters innovation and ownership (Leading a change NEPAL).
Becoming a Changemaker
To lead meaningful change, Pokka encouraged educators to:
- Encourage autonomy in students and staff.
- Foster a growth mindset and value diverse perspectives.
- Communicate a compelling vision and remove barriers to success.
- Celebrate milestones and remain courageous (Leading a change NEPAL).
The Future of Finnish Education
While acknowledging the challenges posed by demographic changes and a 25% shortage of children in the next two decades, Pokka proposed a forward-looking approach. Finland must anticipate trends, create sustainable lifelong learning models, and innovate multicultural and multilingual education practices(Leading a change NEPAL).
Takeaways for Nepal
For Nepalese educators, his session offered practical insights on decentralization, collaborative culture, and empowering teachers and students. The emphasis on trust, autonomy, and wellbeing aligns well with the aspirations of Nepal’s education system (Leading a change NEPAL).
A Call to Action
Ari Pokka’s session was a reminder that education is a marathon, not a sprint. His philosophy of “do it your own way” calls for personalizing education to serve each child’s best potential, a vision that resonates globally.
This thought-provoking presentation left participants inspired to rethink their strategies and embrace leadership that prioritizes empathy, creativity, and innovation.
Ari Pokka, Leading a Change in Nepal, presented at PABSON’s 3rd International Education Conference, 2024.
