Comprehensive Sexuality Education

Finland is a Scandinavian country in the northern region of Europe. Just one-quarter of its population is below the age of 25. The sexual health of adolescents is surveyed every four years through the national Finnish Student Health Survey. According to the most recent survey in 2021, about half of youth use long-term contraceptives and about 40% use condoms. Rates of adolescent pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and HIV are comparatively low.  

Elements of sexuality education were found in Finland’s curriculum as early as the 1950s, with sexuality education officially integrated into the school curriculum in 1970. According to the National Curriculum for Basic Education, the goal of sexuality education is to support the growth and development of the whole person and this includes the physical, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. The most recent iteration of the sexuality education curriculum was in 2014.

The 1999 Constitution of Finland guarantees equal rights to all people and states that no one may be discriminated against on the basis of gender, age, ethnic or national origin, citizenship, language, religion, belief, opinion, sexual orientation, state of health, disability or any other reason related to the person. 

According to the Basic Education Act (628/1998), the purpose of education is to promote civilization and equality in society by supporting students’ growth and development to becoming rounded human beings and ethically responsible members of society, and to provide them with appropriate knowledge and skills to lead fulfilling adult lives. In 2001, the Act was amended (453/2001) to put more emphasis on health education, making it mandatory as a school subject in the basic education curriculum. Health education does comprehensively cover sexuality education.  

The Health Care Act (1326/2010) includes provisions on health and medical care services for students. This includes services relating to mental health and substance abuse, advice on sexual health, and oral health care. A government decree in 2011 enforces these provisions through offering counselling for students that supports their sexual maturing and development. It states that students must be provided with ‘services promoting sexual health, including counselling on sexuality and intimate relationships, infertility, contraception, sexual and gender orientation support, prevention of venereal diseases, prevention of sexual violence and other counselling related to sexual health and, if necessary, referral to further treatment.’ 

Finland’s Act on Equality between Women and Men (609/1986) calls for gender equality to be taught and ensured within the education system. The act states that ‘equality shall be promoted in education and training while taking into account the age and level of development of the children.’ 

Previous plans that helped to build the foundation for the sexuality education programme as it is now include: the General Plan for the Development of Health Education for 1984-88, which called for the development of interpersonal and sexuality education; the Municipal Social and Healthcare Goals of 1998; and more recently, the National Institute for Health and Welfare’s Action programme for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health in 2014–2020, which prioritizes sexuality education in early childhood settings.  

The 2022-2025 Action Plan for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse calls for the strengthening of sexuality education in both national reach and quality. Teacher training institutions are encouraged and supported to include age-appropriate sexuality education content in their education courses. Municipalities and schools are also encouraged to add professional development training opportunities in sexuality education. This is to be done in partnership with several local non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Finland follows the WHO’s framework Standards for Sexuality Education in Europe, which contains the general framework and basic requirements for sexuality education. 

The Fundamentals of the Basic Education Curriculum (2014) cover the goals, content and criteria for all mandatory subjects in the basic education system, including for health education. Sexual health, relationships, and sexuality are presented together in an integrated way. The criteria for the final evaluation include knowing the basics of sexual health, pregnancy prevention and the importance of responsible sexual behaviour. During primary school, students’ understanding of their own gender identity and sexuality develops. In grades 1–2, students develop an understanding of the parts and vital functions of the human body as well as the course of life and growth and development milestones for the different ages. For grades 3–6, the content area ‘Me as a person’ in the environmental studies class teaches the human structure and key vital functions as well as the different stages of human growth and development. There is a focus on the current changes in development that students are undergoing, and they are encouraged to understand their own individual nature. Sexual development and human reproduction are discussed according to age level. Students learn to become more aware of their own body and mind; they also practise self-regulating their emotions.  

From grades 7–9, students are taught sexuality education as part of the health class. In the content area of ‘Health-supportive growth and development’, topics related to sexuality education include ‘construction of identity, self-image and self-knowledge, sexual development, the importance of care and family and loved ones, mental well-being and self-esteem, as well as safety skills.’ In the content area of ‘Health-supporting and depleting factors and disease prevention,’ students learn about different aspects of sexual health and the diversity of sexual development. 

The Finnish National Agency for Education’s website contains a detailed curriculum guide for sexuality education as part of the basic education curriculum. Content is provided for grades 7–9 in the subject of health information. Each lesson contains an introduction for the teacher, materials, and a lesson plan. Lessons 1–6, which are planned for Grade 7, introduces sexuality education and proceeds to discuss physicality, sexuality, anatomy, personal hygiene, and personal relationships. In lessons 7–14, taught in Grade 8, students learn about sexual behaviour, pregnancy, contraception, STIs and HIV, communication in a relationship, consent, condom use, and identifying and preventing violence. Lessons 15–21 review many of the topics already covered, such as as resisting sexual pressure, pregnancy and parenthood, where to get help and advice, how to discuss condom use, and sex and sexuality from the opposite sex. There are also further games and exercises for teachers to use in their classrooms.

The Board of Education’s website provides lesson plans, learning materials, games and exercises. Teachers are also given links to relevant literature for further reading. A book called ‘Stairs of Sexuality’ is available for teachers and health nurses working as sexuality educators to use in their classes. 

Every year, since 1987, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has published a sexuality education magazine which is distributed to all 15-year-olds. The magazine contains a sample condom and a separate letter to parents about how to deal with adolescent sexuality.

Teacher preparedness and capacity building: The Fundamentals of the Basic Education Curriculum (2014) also sets out teaching goals that educators can follow. For example, for grades 3–6 teachers should ‘guide the student to understand the aspects of health, the importance of everyday health habits and the course of life, the individual growth and development of childhood and youth, and encourage the student to practice and apply their health knowledge in everyday life.’ The WHO’s framework Standards for Sexuality Education in Europe also contains competencies for teachers. 

Whether teachers are mandated to be trained on provision/delivery of sexuality education either as part of PRESET or INSET: All teachers are trained in sexuality education during PRESET. A specialization is also offered and is often taken by health teachers for grades 7–9.