In its mid-term policy review completed yesterday evening, Prime Minister Orpo’s Government has outlined cuts in funding for higher education totalling EUR 117.7 million. On top of this, the Government has decided to propose legislation to give open higher education the right to grant degrees, which will in practice mean paid education. SYL is outraged by the proposal.

One-off funding increases for starting places are simply a sleight of hand, when basic funding is cut at the same time. Education is specifically funded through basic funding, and a one-off increase will not be sufficient to improve the level of education. The Government has made a mockery of its own Government Programme entry on improving the level of education among young people. It is also unclear on what basis the impact of various sectors on economic growth has been assessed. A high level of education generally correlates with economic growth.

“The government’s efforts to improve the level of education continue to be smoke and mirrors. This is gaslighting – one-off investments cannot replace basic funding,” says Anselmi Auramo, Chairman of SYL.

By giving open higher education the right to grant degrees, the Government will create a paid education path for Finnish citizens and bury the principle of free education as we know it. In the future, the wealthiest can bypass student admissions of higher education institutions and buy a degree for themselves.

“The government has lost the keys to Finland’s success. These measures will increasingly shift the burden of paying for education from the state to the individual. The Government is undermining educational equality,” Auramo points out.

The Government stated that it would aim for economic growth in its mid-term policy review. This is why it is absurd to cut funding from higher education. The Room for Growth group headed by Risto Murto also highlighted an improvement in the level of education as one of the key requirements for economic growth. Finland’s goal for 50% of the young age group to complete higher education by 2035, and this target will not be achieved if funding for education is cut.

SYL demands that the Government reverse these cuts and maintain free higher education. Instead of cuts and various deceitful tricks, sustainable solutions must be sought for improving the level education through a funding plan crossing over several government terms.

Mer information:

Anselmi Auramo, president
anselmi.auramo@syl.fi, 045 647 1116

Heidi Rättyä, education policy adviser
heidi.rattya@syl.fi, 041 515 2231