Uniarts Helsinki warns that a legislative reform may lead to inequality in music studies
Uniarts Helsinki has submitted its comment on the draft government proposal to reform legislation concerning basic education in the arts. In Finland, basic education in the arts refers to arts education provided primarily for children and young people on an extracurricular basis at music institutes, art schools and other educational institutions in the arts.
The proposal suggests a complete overhaul of the law. The aim of the reform is to improve the accessibility of basic education in the arts across different fields of art and to enhance the quality of the activities.
The legislative amendment proposes that basic education in the arts would consist of a single syllabus worth 50 credits in the future. There are currently two syllabuses in basic education in the arts: the extended syllabus and the general syllabus. Each field of art has its own objectives and key content under both syllabuses.
According to the proposal, funding for institutions that provide basic education in the arts would be based not only on the number of teaching hours delivered but also on the number of students and the number of students who completed the syllabuses. The reform would be mostly cost-neutral, but its implementation would require a €10 million increase in the state budget.
Uniarts Helsinki emphasises the importance of quality and accessibility in the reform
In its comment, Uniarts Helsinki notes that basic education in the arts plays a key role in strengthening the skills that children and young people need in a changing world. This education supports the development of creative thinking, collaboration skills and perseverance and provides a foundation for continuous learning. In addition, basic education in the arts serves society on two levels: it lays the groundwork for studies leading to a professional career in the arts and simultaneously cultivates new audiences for the arts.
According to Uniarts Helsinki, the model of a single syllabus and its clear scope could clarify the structure of basic education in the arts and strengthen its position within the education system. However, the reform must take into account various important aspects.
“Basic education in the arts has a dual mission: it must be accessible to all, but it must also provide students the readiness to pursue further studies in the arts. This can’t be an afterthought when preparing the reform,” says Rector of Uniarts Helsinki Kaarlo Hildén.
Uniarts Helsinki also warns that the proposed new funding model could lead to inequality, particularly in music education.
“If the funding model relies too heavily on student numbers, there is a risk that studying music will become more expensive and turn into a hobby that only children from wealthy families can have. That would be a serious setback for equality,” Hildén says.
Read the full comment that Uniarts Helsinki submitted to the Lausuntopalvelu.fi website in Finnish.