Liikuntatunteja

Liikuntatunteja, the plural form of liikuntatunti, denotes physical education lessons in Finnish schools. These lessons are a standard part of basic education and focus on physical activity, motor skill development, and health-related fitness.

Goals and content: The national core curriculum sets out aims to promote motor competence, physical fitness, safety, fair play, and positive attitudes toward lifelong physical activity. Instruction combines play, games, sports, fitness activities, and sometimes swimming, both indoors and outdoors, and includes knowledge about health and well-being.

Organization and hours: The number of weekly liikuntatunteja varies by grade, school, and municipality. In practice, many schools schedule roughly two to three hours per week for primary and lower secondary students; higher grades may have similar or slightly different arrangements depending on local policies and resources.

Teaching and assessment: Physical education is typically taught by qualified PE teachers. Lessons emphasize participation, cooperation, technique, and safety, with assessment often based on skill development, effort and participation, and progress rather than solely on academic performance.

Significance: The subject aims to foster lifelong healthy activity, reduce sedentary behavior, and support overall physical, mental, and social well-being. It is designed to be inclusive, with accommodations and adaptations to suit diverse abilities and needs.