Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie visited Ukraine from January 31 to February 1. At the invitation of Ukraine's Minister of Culture Mykola Tochytskyi, the Minister attended an international ministerial meeting in Uzhhorod, Zakarpatska region. It was the minister's first official visit abroad.

A working group preparing an overhaul of student financial aid has assessed the current situation in student financial aid and key development needs in the student financial aid system. Needs for development that were deemed essential include reinstating indexation and restructuring interest assistance and loan granting practices to improve the security of student loans. The working group's proposals were submitted to Minister Sandra Bergqvist on 30 January.

schools The Basic Education Act is being amended. With the amendments, the use of telephones and other mobile devices during lessons will only be allowed in certain situations. Regional State Administrative Agencies will also be able to investigate, on their own initiative, whether education is being organised in line with the Basic Education Act. In addition, promoting a physically active lifestyle will be added to the objectives of pre-primary, primary and lower secondary education. The Government submitted a proposal on the amendments on Monday 30 December.

On 24 January, the President of the Republic appointed Minister of Science and Culture Sari Multala, Master of Science in Economics, to the post of Minister of Climate and the Environment and Member of Parliament Mari-Leena Talvitie, Master of Science in Engineering, as a member of the Government and as the new Minister of Science and Culture.