A rare treat from the budget session: education was left alone

The Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY) is satisfied with the government’s decision not to make more cuts aimed at universities. Fortunately for the future of Finland, the Ministry of Finance’s catastrophic proposals on freezing the university indices and withdrawing from the agreement on R&D funding were not realised. However, now would be the time for further measures: cancelling the cuts to education made in the government’s spending limits discussion and ensuring the operating conditions of universities. Investing in education is the only way for the government to reach its own goals on raising the level of education and achieving economic growth.

‘We have to remember that we only managed to prevent additional cuts. There is not much room for thanks since large cuts to universities’ basic funding were just decided in the spring. Even though additional cuts were not made this time, there is still a long way to go from the conflicting pressures of increasing student numbers and decreasing funding to the goal of raising Finland’s level of competence’, Chair of HYY’s Board Petra Pulli states.

Education and research play a crucial role in increasing productivity and fostering economic growth. The increase in the level of education has a direct effect on long-term GDP growth. The government should be making additional investments in education and cancelling the previous cuts it has made in order to reach its own goals for economic growth and raising the level of education.

‘Finland needs sustainable economic growth. This is built upon competence, research and innovations. I am relieved that the act on R&D funding will not be revoked as the Minister of Finance proposed – higher education institutions need an operating environment that is functional and predictable in the long term’, Pulli continues.

Education is the answer and solution to the challenges Finland is facing. Finland’s story is, above all, the story of education and culture. If we want this story to continue in the future, too, universities must be guaranteed a sufficient level of basic funding and operating conditions instead of having the constant threat of cuts hanging over them.

Further information:

Petra Pulli
Chair of the Board
petra.pulli@hyy.fi
050 475 1280