Finnish minister dismisses tuition fees

Finland's education and culture minister, Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, has dismissed calls for the government to begin preparing for the introduction of tuition fees in universities.

In April, the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy argued that universities should be able to charge reasonable tuition fees as this would help offset the negative impact of recent funding cuts in research and education.

However, Ms Grahn-Laasonen said that charging tuition fees to students from Finland and the rest of the European Economic Area goes against the government programme.

The Centre Party has also rejected the proposal, according to a report by the Helsinki Times.

Katri Kulmuni, deputy chairperson of the Centre Party, said that equality of education had been “pivotal in lifting the country”.

holly.else@timeshighereducation.com