Curriculum for pre-primary and basic education

Today's children are sometimes referred to as born diginatives. However, no one is born diginative, but learning digital skills requires diligent practice and systematic guidance. in our school, in addition to basic ICT skills, versatile information management and responsible activities as well as constructive interaction in digital environments are taught and guided. These skills are also emphasized in the curriculum introduced in autumn 2016.

What does the curriculum say about information and communication technology skills? 

Information and communication technology (ICT) competence is an important Civic skill both in itself and as part of multi-literacy. It is the object and tool of learning. Basic education ensures that all students have opportunities to develop information and communication technology skills. Information and communication technology is systematically used in all grades of basic education, in different subjects and multidisciplinary learning units, as well as in other school work.

Information and communication technology competence is developed in four main areas

1. Students are guided to understand the use and operating principles and key concepts of information and communication technology and to develop their practical ICT skills in the preparation of their own products.

2. Students are guided to use information and communication technology responsibly, safely and ergonomically.

3. Students are taught to use information and communication technology in information management and in investigative and creative work.

4. Students gain experience and practice using ICT in interaction and networking.

In all these areas, the students' own activity and opportunity for creativity and finding suitable working methods and learning paths are important. The joy of working together and realizing is also important, which affects the motivation to study. Information and communication technology offers tools to make one's own thoughts and ideas visible in many different ways, and thus it also develops thinking and learning skills.

Students are guided to know the various applications and uses of ICT and to notice their importance in everyday life, and in interaction between people and as a means of influence. Together we will consider why information and communication technology is needed in studies, work and society and how these skills have become part of general working life skills. We learn to evaluate the impact of information and communication technology from the perspective of sustainable development and to act as responsible consumers. During basic education, students gain experience in the use of ICT in international interaction as well. They learn to understand its importance, opportunities and risks in a global world.

(Source: Fundamentals of the Basic Education Curriculum 2014, Information and Communication Technology Competence, p. 23)

Education is compulsory in Finland. This means that a person of compulsory school age must participate in basic education organized by the municipality of residence or obtain information corresponding to the curriculum of basic education in another way. If you wish, you as a guardian can take responsibility for your child's compulsory education. In this case, your child's teaching and learning support will be transferred to you. You can read more about the homeschooling process in the municipality of Hollola in the PDF file below.

It is important to be aware that certain flexibilities in the organization of studies enabled by regulations only apply to those attending school. In home education, for example, it is not possible to exempt a subject from the basic education curriculum. Courses cannot be individualized either. As a guardian, you are therefore responsible for ensuring that your homeschooled child studies in all subjects with the content and goals of Hollola's pre-primary and basic education curriculum in accordance with general education.

However, it is the responsibility of the housing authority to monitor the progress of compulsory education. Based on evidence and materials, the examining teacher appointed by the municipality assesses that your child is studying together in accordance with the goals and contents recorded in the agreed plan. At the end of the school year, the examining teacher prepares a written report on the progress of compulsory education.

If, as a guardian, you want your child to receive a certificate equivalent to a basic education certificate, the child must also participate in a special degree. In the degree, the teacher examining the degree, together with the necessary other teaching professionals, evaluates the level of competence in relation to the goals defined in the curriculum. Those who have successfully completed a special degree will be given a certificate of completion of the basic education curriculum in whole or in part.