Evaluation Council

An Evaluation Council consisting of experts from our stakeholders, such as representatives of education and working life and educational policy specialists from organisations, operates in connection with FINEEC. The Evaluation Council develops FINEEC's activities and supports them by offering perspectives to current topics in education. 

The duties of the Evaluation Council have been determined in an act. The Evaluation Council   

  • participates in the strategic planning of FINEEC 
  • draws up a proposal for an education evaluation plan to the Ministry of Education and Culture, in which it specifies the topics and themes that FINEEC will evaluate over the following four-year period 
  • makes decisions on the issuance of statements and initiatives that are far-reaching in nature or essentially significant 
  • submits a proposal to the Ministry of Education and Culture on committees that may be established, for example, to deal with a certain theme. 

The Evaluation Council also discusses the key results of evaluations and promotes their utilisation.

The duties, composition and quorum of the Evaluation Council have been determined in law:
Act on the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre, section 4
Government Decree on the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre, section 6

Composition of the Evaluation Council 

The Government decides on the composition of the Evaluation Council. The Evaluation Council includes representatives from different sectors of education, teacher education, research, world of work and student organisations alike. Thanks to its diverse composition, the Evaluation Council supports FINEEC's activities by offering a variety of perspectives to education policy and the changes taking place in society. 

The experts of the Evaluation Council change every four years. The composition of the Evaluation Council for the period 10 June 2022–31 May 2026 is the following: 

  • Nikolas Bursiewicz, Education Policy Specialist, National Union of University Students in Finland (10.6.2022–31.5.2024)
  • Johanna Fonsell, Education Policy Adviser, National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences SAMOK (1 June 2024–31 May 2026)
  • Mirja Hannula, Chief Policy Adviser, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK (10.6.2022–31.5.2024)
  • Emma Holsti, Advocacy Coordinator, Finnish National Union for Students OSKU (1 June 2025–31 May 2026)
  • Päivi Ikola, Principal of a basic education school, Suomen rehtorit ry
  • Jouni Koski, President, Laurea University of Applied Sciences (chair)
  • Minna Harmanen, Finnish National Agency for Education
  • Suvituuli Lundmark, Specialist of Interest Representation, National Union of Vocational Students in Finland – SAKKI (12.11.2022-31.5.2023)
  • Mirjamaija Mikkilä-Erdmann, Professor, University of Turku (vice-chair until 31 May 2024)
  • Jyrki Mäkynen, CEO, Oy HM Profiili Ab (Suomen Yrittäjät) (1 June 2024–31 May 2026)
  • Riina Nousiainen, Senior Advisor, Education and Training, Finnish Confederation of Professionals STTK (1 June 2024–31 May 2026)
  • Jarmo Paloniemi, Director of Joint Municipal Authority, Educational Consortium OSAO (vice-chair 1 June 2024–31 May 2026)
  • Kirsi Rasinaho, Education and Labour Policy Specialist, Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK
  • Jaakko Sarmola, Assistant Principal, Trade Union of Education OAJ
  • Aliisa Toivanen, Education Policy Advisor, Union of Upper Secondary School Students in Finland (1 June 2023–31 May 2025)
  • Martin Ubani, Professor, University of Eastern Finland
  • Kyösti Värri, Senior Adviser, Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities
  • Camilla Wikström-Grotell, Director of Academic Partnerships, Arcada

The Secretary of the Evaluation Council is Tarja Frisk, Counsellor of Evaluation from FINEEC.

The members of the Evaluation Council act as independent experts and thus do not represent their background organisation. As members of the Council, they promote the development of the entire Finnish education system and the enhancement of education evaluation.