Sääntövaliaineita

Sääntövaliaineita, meaning "rule electives" or "optional subjects within the rules," is a Finnish educational term. It refers to a category of courses within the Finnish national core curriculum that schools can choose to offer. These subjects are not mandatory for all students but are available as options that contribute to the student's overall completion of their studies, particularly in upper secondary education. The specific sääntövaliaineita offered can vary significantly between different educational institutions.

The purpose of sääntövaliaineita is to provide flexibility in education. They allow schools to tailor their curriculum to their specific strengths, local needs, or student interests. For students, these subjects offer opportunities to explore different fields of study beyond the compulsory curriculum. Completing a certain number of credits from these optional courses is often a requirement for graduation or for obtaining a specific qualification.

These courses can span a wide range of disciplines, from vocational subjects and arts to advanced academic topics. The selection of sääntövaliaineita is guided by the broader national curriculum framework, which sets the general goals and content areas for education. However, the actual implementation and choice of specific courses are decentralized to the municipal or school level. This system aims to balance national educational standards with local autonomy and student choice.