1. Curriculum, Subjects, and Number of Hours

Regulation No. 4 of November 30, 2015, on the curriculum, issued by the Minister of Education and Science, establishes the national educational standard for the curriculum, which in turn defines:

1. The characteristics, content, and structure of the curriculum;
2. The framework curricula depending on the level and type of education and the specifics and form of instruction;
3. The structure of school and individual curricula, as well as the conditions and procedures for their approval;
4. The requirements for the school curricula of innovative schools.

Curriculum Structure

The structure of the curriculum comprises three groups of instructional hours, divided into sections as follows:

• Section A – Required instructional hours;
• Section B – Elective instructional hours;
• Section C – Optional instructional hours;
• Section D – Hours designated for the study of special academic subjects (for special schools for students with sensory impairments).

Instructional Load and School Year Duration

The total number of instructional hours from Section A and Section B for one school week is as follows:

• Grade I: 22 instructional hours;
• Grade II: 23 instructional hours;
• Grades III and IV: 27 instructional hours;
• Grades V through XII: 32 instructional hours.

*For innovative schools, an increase of up to 10% of the total number of hours from Section A and Section B is permitted.

The total number of school weeks for one school year is as follows:

• Grades I – III inclusive: 32 school weeks;
• Grades IV – VI inclusive: 34 school weeks;
• Grades VII – XI inclusive: 36 school weeks (vocational training classes in X and XI add two additional school weeks for industrial training).

Permitted Exceptions:

• Sports schools: To conduct training, competitive sports activities, and sports camps without affecting Section A hours.
• Individual curricula: For students wishing to complete education in different timeframes (reduction or increase not exceeding 50%).
• Innovative schools: Total school weeks may be increased up to a maximum of 38 weeks.

Detailed Breakdown of Curriculum Sections

Section A – Compulsory School Hours

Instruction is provided for the acquisition of general education through subjects prescribed for the respective grade. In vocational training classes, this includes general vocational training. In sports and cultural schools, general education may be replaced with specialized training.

In primary education, subjects and the allocation of instructional time are the same for all types of schools, with exceptions permitted only for individual forms of education for students with special educational needs.

Section B – Selective Teaching Hours

Instruction in Section B may be provided to acquire:

1. Specialized training;
2. Sector-specific and specialized vocational training;
3. Advanced training in general education subjects (from Section A);
4. Advanced training in general education subjects not studied in Section A but part of the school curriculum;
5. Advanced vocational training in subjects/modules;