Editorial Audience education needs bolder renovation

Editorial|Editorial

Religious and the teaching of life-vision information, or so-called spectacles, is being reformed, but in too small a step.

At the request of the Ministry of Education and Culture, researchers at the University of Helsinki, Eero Salmenkivi and Vesa Åhs, studied the reform of the teaching of spectators. Published last Thursday report it is suggested that an increasing proportion of the teaching of spectators could be provided jointly. Church members should also be able to choose life-vision information if they wish. This is not possible under current law, but a non-church student may choose to teach religion.

The proposals are in line with expectations. It was already known in advance that the ruling parties, at least in the center, did not have the capacity for further reforms. Thus, Finland will continue to be the only Nordic country where students of spectators are separated into different groups. According to the report, Austria, Poland, Bulgaria and Latvia are implementing a differentiated model in addition to Finland.

In Sweden, unrecognized teaching was introduced in 1962, in Denmark in 1985 and in Norway in 1997. Even in these countries, full equality is not achieved, as Christianity is often given more space in teaching than other religions.

According to researchers, the Finnish model has its merits, which are related to the consideration of views and the rights of minorities, high-quality curricula and well-trained teachers. When a school provides instruction in its own religion, its content and quality can be controlled.

But the model also has its problems. The importance of religion for young people has rapidly decreased, while the number of religious groups in Finland has increased. This emphasizes the importance of understanding other religions and beliefs as well as dialogue. Audience teaching should not divide students into different groups but bring them together. The time is ripe for bolder reform.

The editorials are HS’s statements on a topical issue. The writings are prepared by HS’s editorial staff and reflect the magazine principle.