Finland To Retain Tuition-Free Education
The continuation of free higher education is a part of the programme of the present government.
Image: YLE
A government-appointed working group examining higher education and the requirements of the job market has rejected the idea of introducing tuition fees at institutions of higher education in Finland.
The group had been looking at establishing a 1000 euro annual fee for studies at colleges and universities as one means of encouraging students to finish their studies more quickly.
However, the group has proposed that students be choosen mainly according to grades received rather than from the results of admission examinations.
Student organisations have praised the group's proposals.
The working group filed its report with Education Minister Henna Virkkunen on Thursday. She said she would aim to implement the proposals by 2011. Virkkunen added she wanted reduce the time spent in higher education by one year.
Students had planned protests throughout the country for Thursday on behalf of continuing free education. Organisers say that the demonstrations will go ahead, even though tuitions are not mentioned in the report.
YLE