Jönsson, Rune; Liljefors Persson, Bodil Eds: Sundmark, Björn : Lärarutbildningen, Malmö Högskola Serie: Educare;6 (2006)
Report
English abstract:
Religious Education in year 9 of the Swedish Compulsory School: One part of the national Evaluation of Compulsory School conducted by the Swedish ministry of Education in 2003 deals with Religious Education (RE). It is based on the National Curriculum for RE and focuses on the perspectives of vital questions, faith and tradition and ethics. On basis of the results the authors suggest some directions for future teaching in RE. Concerning vital questions the pupil’s thoughts focus on the big life-issues. More than 70% often think of the meaning of life, the future and death. When asked to evaluate their RE, between 30% and 50% of the pupils state that they had discussed vital questions in class, but still they wish for more discussions. Concerning faith and tradition, the pupils were given tasks about religious festivals and about religious narratives. Here they show lack of more in-depth knowledge and understanding. In ethical dilemmas the pupils show that they are fully capable of taking ethical stands, but they show contradictions between pronounced values and choices in simulated situations. These results also indicate that their solidarity is not very far-reaching. In conclusion, this investigation shows the need to discuss vital questions, ethics, and to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of world religions and cultures. The pupils’ own demands for RE also have full support in the National Curriculum. It is obvious that RE can and should contribute in a substantial way to improve human relations in the multi-cultural and multi-faith Swedish society of today.