Teaching and Learning of Health Knowledge at Schools

The present epidemics of consumption of drugs, narcotics and smoking and other forms of poor life style among students at schools has received serious concern. In Finland the legislation of education has recently been renewed. The background has been the poor knowledge of students in matters related to physical, mental and social health. Health science (health knowledge) has been adopted as an obligatory subject at all school levels. Biology teachers and the teachers of physical education will take care of the teaching. The present teachers will receive continuing education (5 credits), and the future teachers of biology need a program of 35 credits to be able to give health knowledge lessons. The new program will consist of human biology (anatomy, physiology and metabolism), bacteriology and immunology, nutrition, ergonomics, physical exercise sciences, pathophysiology, pharmacology, toxicology and public health as well as sex education, self care and health promotion. In long run there will also be full time health knowledge teachers whose major subject in their Master of Science program (minimum 55 credits) will be health science. It is also expected that the regulations of biology courses will change in the near future. The topics relevant to personal health will also increase the students ’ interest to learn more about natural sciences