Finnish Pupils' Conceptions on the Place of Religion in School

• In Event: Religion and Education in Pluralistic Contexts

Abstract

This paper examines Finnish pupils’ conceptions on the place of religion in the public school.
The study utilizes a mixed methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative data (N = 825) reported here was collected with a survey questionnaire, and it was answered by students representing the age groups 12-13 and 15-16 (grades 6. and 9.) in the Finnish comprehensive school. The qualitative data was gathered using face-to-face interviews with pupils (N = 38) representing the same age groups. The findings illustrate that the pupils see some significance in religious issues raised in school, and that the variance in their estimations is partly explained by their gender, their age, and their place of residence.

Authors

• Arto Juha Viljami Kallioniemi, University of Helsinki

• Saila Poulter, University of Helsinki

• Arniika Kuusisto, University of Helsinki