Religious and ethical education

In Hämeenlinna, in addition to Evangelical Lutheran religious education and Ethics and Philosophy of Life, instruction is also provided in Orthodox, Islamic, Catholic, and Buddhist religions.

A pupil has the right to receive religious education according to their own denomination, provided there are at least three pupils in the group and their parents request the education. The pupil must be a member of the religious community in question.

The school report of a pupil participating in religious education will not indicate which religious curriculum the pupil has followed. For a pupil exempted from school religious education who receives religious instruction from their own religious community, religion will not be marked on the report.

The choice of religious or ethical education subject is determined by the pupil’s denomination as registered in the population information system. This choice is made when enrolling for the first grade. Pupils generally participate in the religious or ethical education corresponding to their own denomination, if such instruction is organised. Alternatively, pupils may participate in Evangelical Lutheran religious education or Ethics and Philosophy of Life. Pupils of Evangelical Lutheran religion cannot participate in Ethics and Philosophy of Life.

The pupil’s religious or ethical education subject is chosen when they start school. If you wish to change the subject later, please contact basic education counselling services.

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