Welcome to the circus! The Finnish education system is more equitable than in many countries, so there are all kinds of pupils in a Finnish primary school classroom: regular kids, children with learning disabilities, great talents. Some are child welfare clients, while others fly over to New York during holidays. The amount of love and care received at home, on the other hand, doesn’t depend on money. And, when the teachers teach children they also teach their parents. So how do pupils and teachers manage these challenges? Is everything always the school’s fault? Maarit Korhonen has 30 years’ experience as a teacher in Finland, was named Classroom Teacher of the Year in 2016 and writes about the need for change in schools, even within the highly-praised Finnish education system. In ‘School’s fault?’ Maarit shares her experiences from within the Finnish classroom, how she tried to change her teaching environment to improve the learning success of her pupils. This is a must-read book, not only for teachers but also for parents. You will laugh at the wit and ingenuity of the children. You will be shocked by the home situation of some pupils and the effect on their personality and school work. You will empathise with the less-fortunate, who can be found in any classroom. And you may even shed some tears along the way. The names have been changed to protect the innocent, the stories are retold honestly to reveal the truth. Translation: Anu Piippo Cover design: Karstein Volle