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3.12.2019 | The focus in the OECD’s PISA 2018 (Programme for International Student Assessment) was on reading literacy. The survey, held every three years, again ranked Finnish 15-year-olds among top performers in reading literacy in OECD countries. Compared with 2015, Finnish students’ mathematical literacy also remained unchanged, but performance in science literacy declined.

18.6.2020 | The Ministry of Education and Culture is launching an extensive programme for guidance counselling to support guidance counselling in primary education, lower secondary education, general upper secondary education and vocational education and training. The programme is part of the extension of compulsory education. Approximately EUR 19 million per year will be allocated from 2021 onwards to support guidance counselling.

9.10.2023 | The Ministry of Education and Culture’s proportion of the 2024 budget proposal is EUR 8.0 billion, which is EUR 274 million more than in the 2023 Budget. The budget proposal implements the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government by raising the level of education and competence of the entire population. The measures in the budget proposal aim to strengthen the effectiveness of science and improve the conditions for conducting research and development.

17.1.2020 | By the end of 2020, the Government will prepare a report on education policy running up to 2030. The Ministry of Education and Culture has opened an online survey to collect feedback to supplement the preparations. The open questionnaire gives you the chance to express your views on what you believe competence, learning and research are likely to look like in 2030. This way you can have an effect on which issues are raised in the report.

Strategies and policy outlines Policies outlined by the Government guide the activities of the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Ministry prepares matters based on these policy outlines. The government strategy consists of the Strategic Gover...

11.4.2024 | The Kalevala, the national epic of Finland, was awarded the European Commission’s European Heritage Label on 11 April 2024. The European Heritage Label is granted to sites, monuments, documents or events that have a particular significance for European history, culture and integration. The label was now granted to seven applicants.

State subsidies for arts and culture Parties that maintain museums, theatres and orchestras are granted state subsidies with which to cover the institutions' operating costs. The Government participates in this way in the funding of cultural servi...

Immigrants and integration Newcomers to Finland who learn the language, find a job or a study place, and who build contacts in Finland tend to find it easier to integrate into the Finnish society. One's own culture, language and religion can still...

22.9.2023 | Anna-Maja Henriksson, the Finnish Minister of Education responsible for Nordic cooperation, handed out The Nordic Pioneers Prizes for the year 2023 in Copenhagen on September 21. The prize is awarded to four young people for their exemplary efforts in promoting equality, tolerance, and inclusivity. Shahin Ahmad from Finland was among the winners. The other winners are from Norway, Denmark and Sweden.

12.1.2021 | The working group that prepared the Architectural Policy Programme has considered how the Finnish architecture and built environment will be able to respond to the great societal challenges. Climate change, population ageing, urbanisation, new technologies and internationalisation are challenges, but they can also be seen as opportunities. The aims of the programme include more flexible use of buildin...

3.12.2019 | OECD PISA 2018 results were published on Tuesday 3 December. Minister of Education Li Andersson commented on the results at the publication event.

25.4.2023 | In a short time, the Finnish model for leisure activities has assumed its place as a meaningful provision not only for children and young people, but also for their parents and custodians, instructors and municipal decision-makers. The children themselves say that interaction and genuine engagement with the instructor are particularly important when committing to a leisure activity. Other factors t...

19.9.2022 | The budget proposal for 2023 of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government will continue to invest in education and culture. The budget proposal helps implement the key objectives in the Government Programme of raising the level of education and competence, bridging learning gaps and increasing educational equality. Arts and culture will be used to boost conditions and strengthen engagement in creative work.

Policies concerning libraries Libraries provide all Finns with equal access to information and culture. The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for the national library policy in Finland. The Ministry aims to ensure that library and i...

The recommendations for artificial intelligence, AI, support competence related to AI in education, teaching and training. Strengthening competence promotes increasing understanding of AI, its safe use and equal opportunities for education and training actors to utilise emerging technologies in learning.

30.12.2024 | 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.

Policies and development The objective of general education is to guarantee that every child, pupil and student – irrespective of their ethnic origin, background or wealth – equal possibilities and rights to culture, education of high quality that...

14.7.2026 | 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.

9.11.2022 | Equality and diversity in the Norwegian higher education institutes Case study for KOTAMO-project 2021/11 Virhe. Määritä Aloitus-välilehdessä Rubrik, jota haluat käyttää tähän kirjoitettavaan tekstiin. Client The Finnish Ministry of Education and ...

9.11.2022 | Kansainvälisen vertailun tiivistelmä Virhe. Määritä Aloitus-välilehdessä Rubrik, jota haluat käyttää tähän kirjoitettavaan tekstiin. Client The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture Project period 07/2021–09/2022 Team [Employee name] [Employee...

23.9.2024 | The Ministry of Education and Culture’s proportion of the 2025 budget proposal is EUR 8.45 billion, which is some EUR 411 million more than in the 2024 Budget. The proposal implements the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government, which aims to invest, even in a difficult economic situation, in raising the level of education and training and improving the conditions for conducting science, research and development.

9.11.2022 | Equality and diversity in the Swedish higher education institutes Case study for KOTAMO-project 2021/11 Virhe. Määritä Aloitus-välilehdessä Rubrik, jota haluat käyttää tähän kirjoitettavaan tekstiin. Client The Finnish Ministry of Education and Cu...

10.1.2025 | Finland, together with Åland, holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2025. In the branch government of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Presidency programme highlights cultural cooperation between the Nordic countries as well as cultural diversity, inclusiveness and equality. In terms of education and research cooperation, the emphasis is on raising the level of educat...

9.11.2022 | Equality and diversity in the Spanish higher education institutes Case study for KOTAMO-project 2021/11 Virhe. Määritä Aloitus-välilehdessä Rubrik, jota haluat käyttää tähän kirjoitettavaan tekstiin. Client The Finnish Ministry of Education and Cu...

22.1.2025 | Finland has nominated a series of 13 properties designed by architect Alvar Aalto's office for inclusion in the World Heritage List. The properties, named "Aalto Works", represent Aalto's modern and humane architecture. At the request of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish Heritage Agency has drawn up a nomination proposal, working together with Alvar Aalto Foundation and the stakeholders of the architectural sites.

9.11.2022 | Equality and diversity in the Irish higher education institutes Case study for KOTAMO-project 2021/11 Virhe. Määritä Aloitus-välilehdessä Rubrik, jota haluat käyttää tähän kirjoitettavaan tekstiin. Client The Finnish Ministry of Education and Cult...

15.11.2024 | Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz and Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity Sandra Bergqvist will visit Oslo on 18 November. The ministers will learn about the arrangements, practices and prices of young people's leisure activities, and age restrictions in sports.

6.5.2025 | The Nordic ministers of culture and ministers of education and science met in Helsinki on 5 and 6 May as part of Finland's and Åland's 2025 co-presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Questions and answers related to compulsory education This page provides answers to frequently asked questions on the extension of compulsory education. Questions and answers related to compulsory education Free of charge Guidance and supervision ...

3.12.2024 | Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Finland and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China on the Establishment of a Regular Consultation Mechanism for the Ministers In orde...

12.6.2025 | On 12 June, the Government appointed Kirsti Laine-Hendolin, Master of Arts (Education), to the post of Director General of the Ministry of Education and Culture for the period from 1 September 2025 to 31 July 2030. The Director General is the head of the Ministry’s Department for Youth and Sport Policy.

7.1.2026 | 1 Procedural recommendations for developing Finland’s national language reserve 2 Foreword We need an accurate picture of the national language reserve Fewer languages are being studied in school Developing school practices Early childhood educati...

3.3.2026 | AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND FOR 2025–2028 1. Common objectives of higher education institutions The Ministry of Education and Culture and the University of Eastern Finland have agre...

22.11.2024 | The EU ministers responsible for education, youth, culture and sport will meet in Brussels on 25–26 November. Topics on their agenda include boosting Europe's skills and competitiveness through higher education, opportunities for young people in rural and remote areas, role of libraries in media literacy development, and key features of the European Sport Model, which are based on the values of free...

21.10.2015 | Finland's Basic Education Act won the Silver Future Policy Award for the promotion of children's equal access to education and training.

11.3.2026 | Mr Pietrangelo Buttafuoco President of La Biennale di Venezia Mr Luigi Brugnaro, Ms Tamara Gregoretti, Mr Luca Zaia Board of Directors of La Biennale di Venezia For information: Mr Alessandro Giuli Minister of Culture of the Italian Republic Honou...

26.9.2025 | The Finnish Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie will attend the MONDIACULT 2025 conference on 29–30 September. Thousands of policymakers and experts will meet in Barcelona to outline the future of cultural policy.

24.2.2015 | The Recommendation promotes policies and practices to ensure gender mainstreaming in all fields and at all levels of sport. Member states are to encourage co-operation between stakeholders responsible for sport, physical education and gender equality policies at the national level.

26.5.2005 | Haatainen: The themes of the Finnish presidency will be quality and equality in education

11.2.2026 | Under the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Culture, a vision for the comprehensive school of the future has been drawn up. Comprehensive Schools 2045: The vision for life estimates that with accelerating technological advances, an ecological crisis and social segregation, the core function of education is being challenged. Schools are not only expected to prepare young people for future changes but also equip them for life and enable them to change the world.

18.1.2013 | The Finnish parent organizations of the culture field have founded a new support association for the Culture for All Service. The new association will run the Culture for All Service, which has its tenth anniversary this year. The chair of the association is President Tarja Halonen.

4.9.2026 | FINNISH GOVERNMENT PO Box 23, FI-00023 Government, Finland vn.fi/en Tel. +358 295 16001 VALTIONEUVOSTO PL 23, 00023 Valtioneuvosto vn.fi p. 0295 16001 1(5) Entries in the meeting minutes Budget session of Prime Minister Orpo’s Government 1 Septemb...

25.2.2026 | Varkaus – a living industrial cultural heritage – was awarded the Cultural Heritage Label by the European Commission. The label is designated to sites located in the European Union that strongly embody the history, culture and integration of Europe.

8.5.2026 | The EU ministers responsible for education, youth, culture and sport will meet in Brussels on 11–12 May. Education ministers are expected to adopt a general approach on the next Erasmus+ programme and outline the role of artificial intelligence in education. Other items on the agenda include the EU Youth Dialogue, the new AgoraEU programme, and mental health in sport.

10.11.2021 | Minister of Education Li Andersson will lead the Finnish delegation to the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris on 10–11 November. In Finland’s keynote speech on Wednesday, the Minister of Education highlighted human rights as the basis of UNESCO’s activities and its work as an implementer of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustaina...

8.10.2013 | The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC 2012) that was published today shows that competencies in Finland are at an excellent level. Ministers Kiuru and Ihalainen are pleased with the results, which reflect the strengths of the Finnish educational system. But they also reveal areas for future improvement.

Education for immigrants Immigrants usually participate in the same early childhood education and care, education and training as the rest of the population. In addition to these, integration training and support for learning as well as preparator...

Key changes in the Ministry of Education and Culture's administrative branch in the government term Ministry of Education and Culture Publication date 27.1.2023 10.00 | Published in English on 30.1.2023 at 17.04 The term of Prime Minister Sanna Ma...

15.10.2020 | On Thursday, the Government submitted a proposal to Parliament that would extend compulsory education until the age of 18. At the same time, upper secondary education would be made free of charge for students in extended compulsory education. The reform would also improve student guidance and develop transition phase education. The goal is for the reform to enter into force on 1 August 2021. Yo...

1.9.2026 | On 1 September 2026, the Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo reached a decision on its budget proposal for 2027 and is steadily implementing the agenda it agreed at the spending limits session. The agenda includes EUR 100 million of investment in construction and numerous transport infrastructure projects. The Government’s targeted measures will support economic growth.

27.5.2022 | Minister of Education Li Andersson visited London this week. Tuesday 24 May Andersson participated in a panel discussion at the Education World Forum, which focused on educational equality, digitalisation, smooth educational paths and international cooperation.

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26.11.2019 | The Ministry of Education and Culture is set to launch the Right to Learn – An Equal Start on the Path of Education development programme. The programme, which will run from 2020 to 2022, is the Government term’s most significant package for the development of early childhood education and care and basic education.

Promotion of physical activity The Ministry of Education and Culture endeavours to create conditions for a physically active lifestyle for the whole population. The aim is to enable the Finnish population to be physically active to a degree that s...

EU and international cooperation in the youth sector The objective of international and European cooperation is to develop youth policy and support youth work through networking and exchanges of good practices. The Ministry of Education and Cultur...

Ministry of Education and Culture Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz The Swedish People's party of Finland Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz heads the Ministry of Education and Culture. In accordance with the division of responsibilit...

9.6.2020 | The Ministry of Education and Culture is launching a three-year programme for assessing the quality and equality of vocational education and training. Over EUR 270 million has been allocated for 2020–2022 for improving learning opportunities and outcomes, increasing wellbeing and a sense of community, supporting education providers to reform their procedures and practices, and strengthening the capacity of education providers to respond to changes in their operating environment.

Latin America – São Paulo The Team Finland Knowledge role in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) focuses especially on Brazil and, according to the needs of Finnish higher education institutions and Finland's missions abroad, on Mexico, Chile, C...

19.6.2023 | The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike) have developed a new Dialogue Card tool to help arts and culture organisations make their operations more equal and sustainable. The new dialogue cards can be ordered free of charge.

15.6.2021 | The objective of the higher education accessibility plan preparation has been entered in the Government Programme. According to the Government’s education policy report, the Government will decide on the goals and guidelines on measures to improve equality in the higher education accessibility plan by the end of 2021. Senior Specialist Tapio Kosunen, who acted as the rapporteur, handed over his presentation to Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen on Tuesday, 15 June.