Students to learn second compulsory foreign language

Prague, Jan 21 (CTK) - Czech schoolchildren will be compulsorily taught a second foreign language from the eighth grade of the elementary school at the latest, the Education Ministry said in a press release Monday.

Fractions will be taught at the lower grade level (6 to 11 years), instead of the current second (11-15) within the latest modification of the central curricula, called the Framework Educational Programme.

The subject matter will include fighting corruption and some financial basics.

The Education Ministry has revised the curricula seven years after their introduction in order to react to the latest trends in the educational process.

Czech schoolchildren start to learn compulsorily the first foreign language, mostly English, in the third grade of the elementary school.

At present, the second foreign language is optional.

Newly the instruction of the second foreign language will be compulsory from the eighth grade or even earlier. Six lessons a week will be set aside for the purpose, the ministry said.

Only schoolchildren with some impairment can be freed from the second language.

Due to the requirements laid on lower grade level children in international surveys, the subject matter of fractions and decimals was moved from the upper to the lower grade level, the Defence Ministry said.

Financial basics will be also compulsory. Children will be taught how to manage responsibly the family budget, not running into debts.

Many schools have already introduced the instruction.

"A greater emphasis will be laid on traffic rules education, protection against common risks and emergencies, national defence, corruption, sexual and family education," the ministry said.

It argued that the number of child traffic accidents was growing, while people often do not know how to behave in emergency situations such as floods.

When it comes to sexual education, children are to be taught in connection with relationships, health and ethic.

However, the work on more comprehensive modifications of the curricula will start this year. They are to be finished in 2016.