A Values Perspective on Ethical Education for Grades 7 to 9 in Finland

The National Core Curriculum for Basic Education 2014 underlined the need to treat each child as unique and valuable, and as a result, students are encouraged to enhance their self-images, self- efficacy, and self-esteem, which contribute to improvement of their learning skills. There is highlighted the emphasis on the joy of learning and promotion of pupil welfare.The main part of the study is thus an analysis of the Finnish National Core Curriculum, based on a review of the literature on secular ethics across grades 7 to 9 and the presentation of values in Finnish basic education.