!!!Lehrpläne

Curricula prescribing the subjects of study for education and training 
have existed in their current form and significance since the 
16%%sup th/%  century. In the Middle Ages, the "septem artes 
liberales" ( Mediaeval Schools ) prescribed the framework for 
teaching. In the modern era, instruction gradually became prescribed 
by an "Ordo docendi", the schools were normed, and teachers 
were obliged to adhere to these norms. These norms or 
"Schulordnungen" were set down at first by the headmasters 
of the schools, soon after by the secular and religious authorities, 
and from the 18%%sup th/%  century by the state, always taking 
advantage of directive and motivational possibilities. The increase in 
the volume of knowledge and the demands of society have led to a 
differentiated school system with numerous subjects of instruction and 
increasingly detailed new curricula at increasingly shorter intervals. 
The current curricula include: 1) the overall educational goals, the 
educational objectives of the individual subjects of instruction, and 
didactic principles; 2) the division of the subject matter among the 
various school levels; 3) the total number of hours of instruction and 
the number of hours to be devoted to each subject. They also stipulate 
which subjects are compulsory, which are required electives, and which 
are optional graded or non-graded supplementary subjects. The 
curricula are, without exception, oriented towards educational 
objectives and ensure that the teachers have leeway with regard to 
emphasis and method, although they are required to present the 
material according to the latest academic insights and at the same 
time in a clear and understandable manner which takes into 
consideration the level of development of the pupils and maintains 
relevance to the present time. They are also expected to aim for an 
overall educational effect in all subjects, encourage their pupils to 
develop independence, participate in the group, and achieve 
performance levels corresponding to their individual abilities, as 
well as reinforce instruction through appropriate exercises.


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