Ministry of Education and Culture-Finland

The Minister of Education, Science and Communications, Ms. Krista Kiuru is responsible for education and science policies and the Minister of Culture and Housing, Ms. Pia Viitanen for cultural, and youth policies. Minister of Defence Mr Carl Haglund (Ministry of Defence) is responsible for matters relayed to sport. The church affairs, which fall under the Ministry of Education and Culture, are handled by the Minister of the Interior, Ms Päivi Räsänen (Ministry of the Interior). 

One of the basic principles of Finnish education is that all people must have equal access to high-quality education and training. The key words in Finnish education policy are quality, efficiency, equity and internationalisation.

In Finland everyone has the right to free basic education, including necessary equipment and text books, school transportation and meals. Post-compulsory education is also free: there are no tuition fees in general and vocational upper secondary education, in polytechnics or in universities. Education is primarily co-financed by the Government and local authorities.