Religion and worldview studies

Every pupil studies either religion or worldview studies in all grades. Religion is taught in conformity with the religious community to which the majority of the pupils belong. This means that the schools of Lappeenranta teach Evangelical-Lutheran religion. All members of the Evangelical-Lutheran congregation attend this education. All other pupils may also attend said religious education after the teacher has been notified of the matter by their guardians.

The schools of Lappeenranta also provide members of the Orthodox congregation with education in accordance with their own religion.

Pupils belonging to congregations other than the Evangelical-Lutheran or Orthodox congregation who do not attend the aforementioned religious education are provided with education in accordance with their own religion if the guardians of at least three pupils belonging to the same religious community so request.

Pupils who do not belong to any religious community and do not attend religious education shall be taught worldview studies. The teaching group must have at least three pupils. If the guardian so requests, a pupil who does not belong to any religious community may attend religious education in accordance with the religion of the majority.

Since there are few pupils in Lappeenranta attending education in accordance with a religion other than the Evangelical-Lutheran religion, they can attend education of worldview studies at another school.

Religious events and alternative activities

In connection with basic education, it is possible to organise religious events and activities, such as church services or religious morning assemblies, separately from other activities.

A pupil cannot be required to take part in religious events or activities. The freedom not to participate is independent of membership in a religious community. During religious events and activities, the school must, where possible, organise alternative and meaningful activities that are as similar as possible in nature and objectives to the event in place of which the activities are to be held. Schools inform about religious events and alternative activities arranged in connection with the teaching in a timely manner and with sufficient precision, so that the pupil’s guardian has the opportunity to announce the pupil’s participation on a case-by-case basis.

Instructions

The school’s joint celebrations, such as the celebration marking the end of the school year, may not be religious events, and no alternative events are organised for them. However, joint celebrations may include elements referring to religion (e.g. singing a single hymn) if such festive traditions are part of Finnish culture.

Contact your child’s teacher or headmaster for more information on worldview studies education.

In connection with enrolment, you will be asked for information on your child’s worldview in order to organise education.

Payment information

The service is free of charge.