While women make up a clear majority of teachers at lower levels of education, they remain underrepresented in education leadership positions in almost all OECD countries. The findings come from the OECD's Education at a Glance report, which compares education systems across countries. In 2026, the report focuses on teacher shortages and the attractiveness of the teaching profession.
The Government proposes a new foreign studies act, which would define the eligibility conferred by qualifications completed abroad for certain posts and positions in Finland. The aim is to simplify the recognition of qualifications held by international talent who completed their education outside the EU and EEA, and to reduce delays in their entry into employment.
Findings of the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) show that while performance among students in Finland has continued to decline, it remains above the OECD average. Science was the main domain of assessment in the 2025 survey.
Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie has invited EU Member States to an informal meeting of culture ministers in Oulu on 14–15 August 2026. The invitation has also been extended to Ukraine, providing an opportunity for dialogue on all-important cooperation in the cultural sector. The meeting is being held to celebrate Oulu’s year as European Capital of Culture 2026.
EU ministers for sports have asked the European Commission to consider whether EU funding should be restricted for international sports organisations that have allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions during Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for the development of education, science, cultural, sport and youth policies. The administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture comprises 13 agencies, including Finnish National Agency for Education, Academy of Finland and Arts Promotion Centre Finland.
In international affairs, the Ministry participates in the work of major international organisations and regional councils, implements programmes and initiatives nationally and supports cultural cooperations and expatriate activities.
