Mid-term policy review: Is raising the level of education and boosting economic growth mere wishful thinking?

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government has completed their mid-term policy review session, which it dubbed as “reinforcing growth”. However, from a higher education standpoint, these are cuts and not growth: the government has decided to decrease core funding for higher education institutions by 30 million euros in 2026, 20 million euros in 2027, and 15 million from 2028 onwards. They also decided to provide the right to obtain a degree in open higher education. This will destroy educational equality in Finland.

“Aiming to raise the education level and boost economic growth remains wishful thinking, if the basic conditions for organising education are taken from institutions while creating paid education pathways”, says Chair of VYY’s Executive Board Jenni Hiltunen.

Simultaneously, the government calls for allocating increased starting places to degrees that support economic growth. These policies are self-contradictory: decreasing funding while simultaneously increasing the intake of students directly endangers the quality of education. University intake must always consider the financial preparedness of the institution, so quality stays non-negotiable.

“Investing in education and competence is the foundation of sustainable economic growth. Without sufficient core funding, the quality of education and the level of competence weaken, which will have far-reaching consequences for Finland’s competitiveness”, warns Heidi Elers, Executive Board member responsible for educational affairs. 

VYY considers the government’s policy a severe threat to the future of free Finnish education and demands that higher education is funded with long-term, predictable investments.

For more information

Jenni Hiltunen
Chair of Executive Board
jenni.hiltunen@vyy.fi
044 324 8965 (phone calls only)

Heidi Elers
Board member, Educational Affairs
heidi.elers@vyy.fi
044 324 8962