Browsing by Subject "vakaumuksen vapaus"

Aims. The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of classroom teachers in the metropolitan area about the realization of freedom of belief in school. The topic is topical, as the pluralism of society has sparked much debate regarding the organization of spectacle teaching, the school’s festive traditions, and student equality. There has been little educational research on freedom of religion and conscience, but there is some jurisprudence research on the subject. However, little research has been done on teachers experiences. This study seeks to examine the topic from the perspective of educational science and legislation. The research questions are: In what ways is the freedom of belief of students realized in school? How are teachers' freedom of belief realized in school? Methods. My research was qualitative in nature, which I conducted as an interview. Interviews with seven classroom teachers took place between November 2019 and February 2020. I selected classroom teachers from the Helsinki metropolitan area for interviews. I collected my material from classroom teachers in the Helsinki metropolitan area because the area is different from the rest of Finland. Qualitative research does not aim for generalizability and the aim of my research was to obtain information about teachers ’experiences. The material was analyzed using content analysis. Results and conclusions. Based on the results of the study, the student's freedom of belief was implemented quite well in school. The student's positive freedom of belief was supported by the opportunity to teach according to one's own religious beliefs and the opportunity to express one's own beliefs at school. Negative freedom of belief, in turn, was realized as an exemption from teaching and opportunities in accordance with the recognition of a foreign religion. Based on the results, the teachers' negative freedom of belief did not materialize. In addition to religious occasions, the teaching of religion could conflict with the realization of freedom of belief. Based on the research, teachers are aware of the challenges associated with a student’s religious beliefs at school.