Minna Kelhä appointed Director General of the Finnish National Agency for Education

The Government appointed Dr Minna Kelhä as Director General of the Finnish National Agency for Education. The duration of the position is for five years, beginning on 7 June 2021 and ending on 6 June 2026.

Kelhä has served as State Secretary to the Minister of Education since 2019. Her previous positions include: Secretary-General of the Left Alliance Parliamentary Group from 2016 to 2019, Parliamentary Secretary from 2015 to 2016, Development Manager at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare from 2014 to 2015, Special Adviser to the Minister of Culture and Sport from 2011 to 2014, and Parliamentary Assistant from 2009 to 2011. Kelhä qualified as a Doctor of Education in 2009.

In her position as State Secretary to the Minister of Education, Kelhä has led the legislative projects and content preparation of key education policy reforms under the Government Programme.

Kelhä has been responsible for preparations for programmes such as the extension of compulsory education, reforming continuous learning, the project called ‘The Right to Learn’ for early childhood education and care and basic education, and the ‘Right to Know’ project for vocational education and training.

The Finnish National Agency for Education develops education, early childhood education and care and lifelong learning and promotes a more international scope in its activities. The Director General leads the Agency’s operations and is responsible for the effectiveness of the Agency's activities. Altogether 17 candidates applied for the post.

Inquiries: Anita Lehikoinen, Permanent Secretary, tel. +358 295 330 182, Ministry of Education and Culture