Press Release 6 May
For immediate publication
On Wednesday 8 May, Antti Rinne will initiate government programme negotiations at the House of the Estates. At the same time, representatives of higher education students will assemble outside the House of the Estates to start their own government programme watch. Through their presence, students want to remind negotiators that the most important problems will be solved by investing in education. Young people and students must be guaranteed a sufficient income and education in order to achieve sustainable solutions.
The National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) and the University of Applied Sciences Students in Finland – SAMOK are preparing for a watch in front of the House of the Estates while the government programme negotiations are underway. SYL represents the approximately 132,000 university students in Finland while SAMOK represents approximately 140,000 students at universities of applied sciences.
During the government negotiations, it will be decided which reforms will take place in Finland during the next four years. Will students be included in the government programme? Will we see an increase of 100 euros on the financial aid for students which is so badly needed? Will the funding for higher education institutions be tied to the index again? Will students be included in the social security reform?
“The current level of the student grant is not sufficient to enable students to study full-time, and that is why it is essential that the amount is increased. The majority of candidates who were reached by phone ahead of the elections agreed with us on this point. This objective must also be visible in the government programme,” SAMOK’s President Iiris Hynönen says.
“Education is an investment in the future, and it is always worthwhile. It is perfectly clear that now is the time for solutions. The government programme must include investments in students and education,” SYL’s President Sanni Lehtinen states.
#educationprkl @ the House of the Estates Wed 8 May–Mon 27 May:
From 8 am, students will be waiting for the negotiators in front of the House of the Estates.
The National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) and the University of Applied Sciences Students in Finland – SAMOK are in charge of organising the higher education students’ government programme watch.
More information and a more detailed schedule will be published on the #educationprkl Facebook page: facebook.com/koulutustaprkl.
More information:
President Sanni Lehtinen (SYL), tel. 044 906 5007, sanni.lehtinen@syl.fi
President Iiris Hynönen (SAMOK), tel. 050 389 1000, iiris.hynonen@samok.fi
The #educationprkl campaign on Facebook: www.facebook.com/koulutustaprkl
The #educationprkl campaign website: www.koulutustaprkl.fi/en/
You can also receive more information on the students’ government programme watch in front of the House of the Estates from:
Kim Kujala, Vice President (SYL), tel. 044 906 5002, kim.kujala@syl.fi
Anton Salenius, board member (SAMOK), tel. 050 389 1009, anton.salenius@samok.fi