The ICMI Representative for Finland is the chairperson of the Finnish Commission for Mathematics Education (FiCMI, https://www.problemsolving.fi/ficmi/), confirmed by the Council of Finnish Academies (the IMU adhering organization, https://academies.fi/kansalliskomiteat/).
Associations for Mathematics Education
Finland has two national associations focused on mathematics education; both also cover chemistry and physics education which are all traditionally closely connected. The Finnish Mathematics and Science Education Research Association (FMSERA, https://fmsera.seura.info/hallitus/) plays a key role in connecting mathematics education researchers via annual meetings. In addition, the Finnish Association of Mathematics Teachers (MAOL, https://maol.fi/) is a major professional body offering support, resources, and continuing professional development for mathematics teachers across all educational levels, albeit with a focus on middle and high school teachers. Mathematics education is also present in a lesser role at the Finnish Mathematical Society (SMY, https://matemaattinenyhdistys.fi/) as well as the Finnish Association for Subject Didactic Research (https://www.ainedidaktiikka.fi/) and the Finnish Educational Research Association (FERA, https://kasvatus.net/).
Research Institutions in Mathematics Education
Mathematics education researchers work in universities, and most are also mathematics teacher educators primarily in education faculties but also in mathematics departments. Consequently, doctoral degrees in mathematics education are awarded in both the fields of education and mathematics.
Journals for Mathematics Education Research
The Finnish Mathematics and Science Education Research Association publishes the eponymous FMSERA journal (https://journal.fi/fmsera) since 2016. The journal is an outgrowth of a conference proceedings series that was published starting in the 1980s. The journal NOMAD Nordic Studies in Mathematics Education (https://tidsskrift.dk/NOMAD) is a joint effort between Nordic counties, including Finland.
Mathematics Teacher Education
Teacher education in Finland is research-based and relatively well-regarded. Specifically, class teacher (grades 1-6) training is highly selective and subject teacher (grades 7-12) training programs usually fill their quotas reasonably well. Teacher qualification requires a Master’s degree, with 60 ECTS of teacher training and, for subject-teachers, 120 ECTS subject-specific studies in a main teaching subject (e.g. mathematics) and 60 ECTS in a second teaching subject (e.g. physics). It is common for teachers to be accredited to teach mathematics, physics and chemistry and many vacancies require all subjects. Continuous professional development is encouraged but there is little systemic support for it and no national requirements.
School System and Curriculum
Information about the organization of the school system can be found at the Finnish National Agency for Education OPH https://www.oph.fi/en/education-system
Information about the Finnish core curriculum. https://www.oph.fi/en/statistics-and-publications/publications/new-national-core-curriculum-basic-education-focus-school
National core curriculum for general upper secondary education 2019 - The national core curriculum for general upper secondary education intended for young people
https://www.oph.fi/sites/default/files/documents/LOPS2019%20English%20translation%202024%20final_0.pdf