When you talk to education officials in most countries, they sooner or later show what other country's success story they are trying to copy. Most of these countries face education challenges very much unique to them, yet many seem to look for solutions elsewhere. Originality is sometimes not even considered in the many options they plan for.

It is appealing to want to copy success. It is easy, all you have to do is find the recipe and follow it religiously, right?
As it turns out, it is very wrong actually. The leader, by far in the world on education is the small but genius country of Finland.

http://www.businessinsider.com/finland-education-school-2011-12?op=1

As the study shows, the real success is in the fact that Finland had the courage to try something new and did not blindly follow the example of another country with a different culture, history, geographic reality and different means and mentalities. The result is sometimes best compared to trying to make a delicious sweet cake using salt instead of sugar and expecting the same result.

We can go over the different secrets of Finland success, we can list and present a recipe. The truth is, their success comes from they courage and audacity to dare think differently, to choose to come from behind to lead not just to catch up and run with the rest of the contestants.
Impressive result, tip of the hat for Finland!