Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to education
56th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Visit to Finland – Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, 24 June 2024 - statement by Finland.
Mr. President,
Finland attaches great importance to the work of the UN Special Procedures mandate holders. Finland highly values the constructive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Ms. Farida Shaheed. The Government appreciates the initiative taken by the Special Rapporteur to visit Finland.
The country visit, the first of its kind to a Nordic country, provided an important opportunity to exchange information and views on the implementation of laws and policies on the realization of the right to education in Finland. The Government notes with appreciation the comprehensive recommendations provided and will consider them carefully.
Mr. President,
The Government of Finland is firmly committed to international human rights treaties and mechanisms as well as the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 4 to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Supporting the realization of the right to education, with a particular focus on girls, persons with disabilities and those in the most vulnerable situations, is a long-standing priority of Finland’s human rights based foreign and security policy as well as development policy.
The Special Rapporteur noted with appreciation the emphasis placed on the right to quality education as a human right at the highest levels of the State, as well as at the regional and at the municipal levels.
As stated in the report, Finland’s education system is designed to accommodate various needs and circumstances, support individuals to achieve their full potential, and offer lifelong learning with no dead ends.
We have recently (in 2021) extended the compulsory education to 18-year-olds and we continue efforts to raising the level of education among the population. We seek to ensure that every young person would complete upper secondary education, as it is widely understood that primary school degree does not provide sufficient competences for life and work.
With the reform, upper secondary education was made universally free of costs, thus also the expenses of learning materials and travels to and from school are now covered. A daily school meal was provided free of cost, already before the reform. To add, during the reform, also guidance as well as pupil and student welfare services were strengthened.
The Government is also investing up to 200 million euros extra per year to basic education. The minimum teaching hours will be increased, while not adding content to curriculum. This will give teachers and learners more time for the learning process. Our aim is to strengthen foundational skills, especially in literacy and mathematics, to ensure that every pupil completing basic education will have the necessary basic skills to continue studies at upper levels.
As always, we pay a lot of attention to tailored support for learning and early intervention. We are reforming the three-level system of support, in order to better meet the needs of pupils and students with special educational needs. With the reform, we seek to improve coherence and continuum of support measures in the entire education system, while also strengthening the capacities of teachers.
Finally, teachers are at the core of quality education. We are happy that the profession in Finland remains attractive. As an example, last year only about 10 % of candidates were accepted in universities to study to become class teachers. Our teachers are trusted and respected professionals, which is part of the attraction.
Although we do not have a broader shortage of teachers, the report rightly identifies the challenges in early childhood education and care, as well as in special needs education. In line with the recommendations, the Ministry of Education and Culture has – in fact over the past few years already – allocated significant additional funding to Universities to increase the number of student places in these areas.
The Government has also established a strategic alliance with Finland’s largest cities to find practical solutions for securing the availability of skilled labor, including in early childhood education and care. The alliance is chaired by the Prime Minister.
To conclude, Mr. President,
Finland reiterates its strong support to the Special Rapporteur on the right to education and looks forward to the continued cooperation with this important mandate.
Thank you.