A narrow majority of Finns oppose establishing separate classes or schools for gifted pupils, according to a poll on educational equality commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat and conducted by Suomen Gallup.
Support for separate education for the gifted is highest among supporters of the National Coalition party, and lowest among voters of the Greens.
More than half of Finland’s farmers and entrepreneurs were in favour of separate education for the gifted. Men support separate gifted pupils' education programmes more than women do, and those with a higher educational background favour such schemes more than those with just a basic education.
A majority of respondents felt that today’s schools do not sufficiently address the needs of exceptional pupils - for instance, very slow or very fast learners.
More than 70 percent felt that girls should be encouraged to seek out what are traditionally seen as men’s professions, and that more boys should take on traditional women’s professions. However, an even greater majority oppose gender quotas as a basis for choosing students.
Minister of Education Antti Kalliomäki (SDP) does not feel that separate schools or classes for the gifted are necessary, saying that such a system could actually harm the "little Einsteins" themselves.
