Statement: The next government is served a buffet where even the last crumbs are scooped off students' plates

On Monday, the Ministry of Finance published a list of 400 savings targets to adjust public finances. The ministry has produced a vast number of proposals that, if implemented, would dismantle free education and the student financial aid system. The list of measures includes, for example, the introduction of tuition fees, the abolition of the study grant, an increased reliance on student loans, and the phase-out of the meal subsidy for higher education students. SAMOK considers it unreasonable that, after repeated cuts, students are once again the primary target of proposed adjustment measures.

“It is incomprehensible that weakening the position of young people and students is repeatedly served up on a tray at the buffet table, even while savings targets are simultaneously defended as a way to secure young people’s future. Students’ debt burden is already up to tens of thousands of euros at its highest. Increasing the reliance on loans would, at worst, plunge students into lifelong debt bondage,” criticises Helena Maijanen, President of SAMOK. Helena Maijanen.

The ministry's adjustment list includes options where young people who suffer from financial difficulties and are already struggling with debt problems would be forced to bear an even heavier burden. An insufficient number of student financial aid months is already pushing higher education students onto basic social assistance, yet the ministry’s list considers worsening this dismal situation even further.

SAMOK views proposing these cuts, let alone implementing them, as a harsh message to students and young people who are already worried about their future. During the current parliamentary term, students’ livelihood has already been significantly eroded by transferring students back to the housing supplement of student financial aid, increasing the proportion of student loans within student financial aid, and freezing social security indices at a time when living costs are rising and job opportunities for students are scarce.

Free education, equal study opportunities, and a sufficient livelihood form the foundation of the future. SAMOK demands that the next government carefully consider what kind of tomorrow it intends to offer young people: growing inequality in education, or equal opportunities for skills, wellbeing, and the future.

Higher education is essential from the perspective of an educated and democratic society, and these proposals feel particularly contradictory given that the Vision for Higher Education and Research 2040 sets ambitious targets to raise educational attainment levels. This does not happen in a vacuum; it requires investment. This is especially vital at a time when, according to the Youth Barometer, only 17% of young people felt optimistic about the future of the world. In contrast, faith in education held firm in the same survey. With these proposals, even faith in education may soon be lost.

“This country has already broken too many promises made to students. Instead of rhetoric, it is now time to see concrete actions and a commitment that the ministry’s list will not be used as a buffet table when preparing the next government programme,” states Board Member Suvi Savola.

Further information:

Helena Maijanen, President of SAMOK
050 389 1000
[email protected]

Suvi Savola, Board Member
050 360 9376
[email protected]