Religion and ethic studies in basic education

Espoo provides instruction in the following religious and worldview subjects:

• Evangelical Lutheran religion
• Orthodox religion
• Ethics
• Islam
• Catholic religion
• Krishna religion
• Judaism
• Buddhism.

Each religious and worldview subject has its own curriculum.  Instruction in these subjects is carried out in Finnish (with the exception of the English-language instruction provided at Kivimiehen koulu and Espoo International School) in accordance with the curriculum. Lessons do not involve practising the religion and are not faith-based. The instruction also covers other religions and worldviews besides the chosen subject.

Religious or worldview studies are included in the basic education curriculum for all pupils.

• A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church can only study the Evangelical Lutheran religion.
• A member of the Orthodox Church of Finland may study either the Orthodox religion or, at the guardian’s request, the Evangelical Lutheran religion.
• Pupils who do not belong to a registered religious community study ethics (‘elämänkatsomustieto’) or, at the guardian’s request, the Evangelical Lutheran religion or another religion taught in Espoo schools, if the subject is in line with the student’s upbringing and cultural background.
• Pupils who belong to a registered religious community may, at the guardian’s request, study their own religion if offered in Espoo, the Evangelical Lutheran religion, or ethics.
  • If a pupil belongs to a registered religious community but does not attend lessons in the Evangelical Lutheran religion or ethics and their own religion is not taught in Espoo schools, the school must arrange other instruction or supervised activities for the pupil. A pupil who attends lessons in their own religion outside of school may, at the guardian’s request, be exempted from other instruction or supervised activities.

If you have questions about religious and worldview studies, please contact the school directly.