We'll cross that bridge when... - The impact of the new 2020 curriculums on geography and natural science subject

Abstract

The National Core Curriculum as amended in 2020 and the new frame curriculums have resulted significant changes in the subjects in the field of Natural science and geography. The number of secondary school (grammar school) hours for all subjects related to this field of education – biology, physics, geography, chemistry – has decreased, and their learning and teaching ends at the end of the 10th grade. In the 11th grade, however, it is possible to teach a natural science subject twice a week. The study briefly presents the special role of geography in the education system, which stems from the dual nature of the subject – integrative and synthesizing. The author then examines the effects of the 2020 National Core Curriculum and frame curriculums on the learning and teaching of geography and natural science in secondary school. The author outlines the problematic parts – e.g. reduction of the number of hours, new textbooks, curriculum layout – but also highlights the potential positive benefits of change. He also formulates possible solutions for the effective teaching of subjects in this field of education, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary connections and subject integration. The study briefly presents the potential of new science subjects as well. These focus on the pedagogy for sustainability as well as on the environmental awareness-raising, concepts that appear as a particularly important part of curriculums. The author of the study draws attention to the fact that the role of teachers is becoming especially important due to the changes in the education system.