The Education Council of the Canton of St.Gallen has to cut lessons at secondary schools as part of an austerity package. In contrast to a previous decision, according to which one German lesson and one lesson in the elective area of visual arts/music were to be cut at the grammar school, the Education Council has now decided to make savings elsewhere.
The professional circles that would have been directly affected by a reduction have taken a clear stance against the planned lesson reductions during the consultation process. They fear a reduction in quality at secondary schools.
The canton writes that the Education Council largely understands the arguments put forward. It has therefore decided not to make the planned cuts in the subjects German and in the elective area of visual arts/music. Instead, the savings demanded by the cantonal council are to be made by reducing the number of lessons "at the disposal of the school".
These are teaching units in which the schools determine the teaching content autonomously. Previously, grammar schools had four of these lessons available, spread over the entire duration of the course. This area is compulsory for pupils.
Today, schools use this vehicle in very different ways. For example, it is used to deepen core high school subjects such as French or English or to practise interdisciplinary skills, particularly in the field of IT.
The lessons are also popular for new forms of teaching, for example as part of interdisciplinary project lessons or as part of themed half-days at school.
Picture: Claudia Hautumm - pixelio.de
