‘Let Us Develop Together!’ - A Curriculum Development Process to Improve Scientific Literacy of the Students at Secondary Vocational Schools in Hungary
‘Let Us Develop Together!’ - A Curriculum Development Process to Improve Scientific Literacy of the Students at Secondary Vocational Schools in Hungary

Summary/Abstract: The topic of this paper is the reform of science education in Hungary, started with secondary vocational schools. Teachers of Biology, Chemistry, Geography, and Physics were really shocked by the ministerial decree which decreased with 40% the total number of the scientific lessons in the whole educational period of the vocational education last August. A new subject (Science) was introduced in 9h grade in secondary vocational education at the same time. The main targets of this subject are to improve the students’ scientific literacy and skills, to support them in becoming responsible citizens, and to help them to live a healthy life. There are 108 lessons – all in a single academic year - to attain these targets. In grades 10-12 in secondary vocational education one scientific subject is taught (Biology, Chemistry, Geography, or Physics), as the theoretical basis of the vocational training depending on the profile of the school. The teachers who have to teach this new Science subject are trained for and are experienced in teaching one or two scientific disciplines, but they are not qualified to teach complex science. The Hungarian Institute for Educational Research and Development (HIERD) was appointed to develop the science curriculum for grade nine of secondary vocational schools in cooperation with some scientists and teachers. The curriculum has to improve the scientific literacy of the students by active learning about those topics which are closely connected to their daily life.

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