Minister of Education Adlercreutz visits Kiev and discusses role of education in reconstruction of Ukraine
Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz visited Ukraine on 14 October. This was the first visit by a Finnish minister of education to Ukraine. The aim of the visit was to deepen cooperation between Finland and Ukraine in the field of education as part of Finland’s comprehensive support to Ukraine. Discussions were held to exchange information on the current situation and plan future cooperation. Finland also expressed its interest in actively contributing to the reconstruction of Ukraine’s education sector through education sector exports.
Finland will continue to strongly support Ukraine, and education is the priority sector for Finland’s development cooperation in the country. Finland provided long-term support to Ukraine’s education sector in 2018–2023, contributing EUR 30 million to its development. In 2024–2026, Finland will use development cooperation funds to support the development of vocational education and training in Ukraine through a cooperation project between the Finnish National Agency for Education and the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science.
Plans are also underway for a four-year project with the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science to support the general upper secondary education reform. The project is expected to start in the first half of 2025. In addition to these projects, Finland will promote cooperation between higher education institutions and support Ukraine’s EU integration in various ways. Ukraine will also need considerable assistance in repairing and reconstructing educational institutions.
“Ukraine’s commitment to the development of the education system is a sign that it recognises the importance of good basic education for a successful society. I am pleased that Finland, together with its Ukrainian partners, can work for a free, strong and successful Ukraine. Schools have a key role in the country’s reconstruction,” says Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz.
During his visit, Minister Adlercreutz met with Ukrainian Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi. The ministers discussed the current situation in Ukraine and the challenges of the coming winter. Minister Adlercreutz invited Minister Lisovyi to visit Finland to find out about the Finnish education system. In addition, Minister Adlercreutz, Serhii Babak, the Chair of the Committee on Education, Science and Innovation of the Ukrainian Parliament, and the committee’s vice-chairs discussed the state of the Ukrainian education sector, Ukraine’s EU integration and other topical issues, and challenges presented by the war.
The aim is to arrange as efficient and high-quality teaching as possible despite Russia’s aggression. However, the number of bomb shelters and school buses will have to be substantially increased to ensure that teaching can take place in classrooms.
Minister Adlercreutz also visited a vocational institution and a general upper secondary school in the Kiev region. He was given a warm reception in both places. During his visit, the Minister, playing the cello, performed the Ukrainian folk song “Oi u luzi tšervona kalyna” together with young Ukrainian musicians.
Inquiries: Andreas Elfving, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 330 043