The Union of Research Professionals objects to a government proposal that would allow for the completion of higher education degrees through paid open higher education. The proposal would mean an essential change to the Finnish higher education system.
According to the Government’s draft proposal, higher education institutions could, in the future, offer education leading to degrees as open education for a fee without the current rules regarding student selection and the right to study. Research Professionals feels that this fundamentally obscures the difference between open higher education and degree education.
“It is not a small legislative change, but a big change in principle affecting the structures of higher education. The proposal confuses the roles of free degree education and the open university in a way that can open the door to the expansion of fees for education”, says Nina Hahtela, Executive Director of Research Professionals.
Conflicting objectives and methods
The Government justifies its proposal by stating the need to increase the share of highly educated among the population as well as flexible education paths. According to Research Professionals, however, the methods to realise the proposal do not support these objectives. A paid degree path would likely be primarily of interest for those who are working and who have already completed a higher education degree and would not, therefore, effectively contribute to raising the level of education of young adults.
The proposal undermines the equality of higher education, which, according to Research Professionals, is best supported by the provision of free education leading to a degree and by an entire education chain that endeavours to ensure that the lower levels of education provide the adequate foundation to move from one level of education to the next.
“It is quite problematic and short-sighted if making it possible to pay for an education is offered as the solution to raise the level of education. Finland’s strength has always been its free degree education and educational equality”, Hahtela emphasises.
At the same time, the actual impact of the proposal on the activities of higher education institutions remains unclear. Open questions include, for example, in which disciplines paid degrees would be possible, how high the tuition would be and how the reform would affect the principles of funding models for higher education institutions. According to the proposal, the reform would enter into force as early as 1 August 2028.
The ethical principles of higher education in the line of fire
The proposal also raises serious concerns from the point of view of the personnel at higher education institutions. According to Research Professionals, this degree model may give rise to pressure to prioritise those taking part in paid education.
“In the worst case scenario, the personnel might find themselves in a situation where students are treated unequally based on their ability to pay. This is contrary to the ethical principles of higher education institutions.
The personnel are already working with scarce resources, and there is no space for any additional burdens.
Research Professionals also finds it rather questionable that there is no broad support for the government’s proposal. The majority of the preparatory steering group did not support the model but, instead, called for broader social debate and an analysis of alternative funding solutions.
“Significant reforms such as this must be grounded on research-based knowledge and social consensus. That is not the case here”, Hahtela points out.
Research Professionals stresses the importance of having the possibility for continuous learning. It should be developed by strengthening continuing education, developing smaller study modules and creating a new system to replace the discontinued adult education allowance.
“Free degree education and equal opportunities to educate oneself are the cornerstones of the Finnish higher education system. They should not be compromised”, Hahtela says.
Read our statement here (in Finnish).