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Curriculum, subjects, number of hours

The legal basis for the curriculum of the compulsory secondary school and lower cycle of AHS is the School Organisation Act.

The curricula are drawn up by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research together with experts (universities, universities of applied sciences, university colleges of teacher education). They are implemented at schools by school directors and teachers.

In principle, both school types have the same compulsory subjects in common. They mainly concern the areas of language of instruction, foreign language, mathematics, natural and social sciences, art, sport and physical education as well as digital basic education.

In both school types, the number of hours over all four years is 120, the number of hours per week varies between 28 and 31. The distribution of the hours in the individual subjects differs depending on the type of school or the school focus. In general, classes are held in German. Teaching in a modern foreign language – this is usually English – begins at primary school. From compulsory secondary school as well as in the lower cycle of AHS, written examinations must be taken in the “first modern foreign language”. In the grammar school branch (Gymnasium), a second modern foreign language or Latin is compulsory from the third grade onwards.

Since September 2016 citizenship education has become a compulsory module in both school types. Since the school year 2018/19 a compulsory exercise digital basic education has been taught at all secondary schools.

The following compulsory subjects are taught in the first 4 years ofcompulsory secondary school (per week):

*) If necessary it is possible to provide the subject sections of technical shop and textile shop alternately. Here it must be ensured that both subject sections are represented equally within one school year. **) In the 3rd and 4th grades as a separate subject with at least one weekly lesson. In addition, 32 annual lessons integrated into compulsory subject instruction in both the 3rd and 4th grades. ***) In the 2nd and 3rd grades 32 annual lessons integrated into compulsory subject instruction.

The chart below presents the standard timetable for lower cycle academic secondary schools(AHS): In the 1st and 2nd grade, the curricula are identical. In the 3rd and 4th grade, the number of lessons for the different types of schools (Gymnasium, Realgymnasium, Wirtschaftskundliches Gymnasium) begins to differ. Please refer to the abbreviations (G = Gymnasium, RG = Realgymnasium, WG = Wirtschaftskundliches Gymnasium) for changes in lessons:

Weekly lessons of compulsory subjects in grades 1 to 4:

*) As an alternative compulsory subject. **) Can also be offered in block form or integrated into the lessons of compulsory subjects. ***) In the 2nd and 3rd grades 32 annual lessons integrated into compulsory subject instruction.

As part of school autonomy, deviations from the standard timetable are possible following a decision of the school community committee. By reducing the number of lessons in individual subjects, more intensive focuses and new subjects can be created in other areas.

The field of optional subjects and exercises which can be chosen from in addition to compulsory subjects is diverse.

Teaching methods and materials

According to § 17 of the School Education Act teachers of compulsory secondary school as well as academic secondary school / lower cyclecan make independent, responsible decisions on setting priorities and regarding organisation and structure of the course contents that are to be taught in a school year of compulsory secondary school. Methodological freedom is limited by certain criteria, such as the level of development and progress of individual pupils and of the class as a whole, the structure of the subject matter, aspects of school organisation and practical requirements (appropriateness of method).

Moreover, school has many educational tasks to accomplish which it can only deliver in an interdisciplinary approach.

For learning at school, the relevant findings of research are to be considered in the planning and organisation of learning processes. Learning and work techniques are to be conveyed and practised in a situation-specific context.

Computers are to be used as vehicles for independent, target-oriented and individualised learning and for creative work. In some schools there are so-called “laptop classes”, which means that – as far as possible – laptops are used for teaching.

The methods used are teacher-input teaching, individual, partner and group work, cross-curricular teaching and project-based training as well as individual work. Individual forms of learning (e.g. doing own research) are especially promoted, also with regard to preparing students for life-long learning.

The use of approved textbooks (free of cost with a co-payment), of audio-visual aids and information and communication technology, among a variety of other teaching aids, supports the respective methods.

The teaching materials must correspond to the curriculum of the grade concerned in terms of form and content.

Pupils may attend remedial teaching for all subjects, on a voluntary basis or compelled by the teacher, if they are temporarily in need of an additional learning option. Remedial teaching may not exceed a defined number of hours per pupil and year, or week. Remedial teaching may be offered in a course organised parallel to classroom work, as modules, or integrated into classroom instruction.

For more details please see here.