Kurt Torsell appointed director general of Finnish education agency

Kurt Torsell has been appointed director general of the Finnish National Agency for Education, Yle reports. The government made the appointment on Thursday.

Torsell has led the agency’s Swedish-language operations since September 2019. He has also been responsible for the development programme for the second national language and for coordinating and monitoring the compulsory education reform.

He holds a master’s degree in education. Before joining the agency, he worked as director of education in the municipality of Sipoo and as a senior adviser at the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities.

As director general, Torsell will lead, develop and supervise the agency’s operations and be responsible for their effectiveness and for meeting its targets.

His five-year term begins at the start of September. Sixteen people applied for the position before the deadline.