The recommendations were submitted to education minister Hirokazu Matsuno.
A Japanese government panel on Wednesday recommended a drastic review of school subjects under the next curriculum guidelines to be implemented in stages from fiscal 2020, including the adoption of English as a regular subject for elementary school fifth- and sixth-graders.
The Central Council for Education at the education ministry also called for introducing activities to help third- and fourth-graders at elementary schools become familiar with English.
For high schools, the council recommended the introduction of new subjects, such as comprehensive studies of the modern and contemporary history of Japan and the world, and studies of civics including education on popular sovereignty.
The ministry will announce the revised curriculum guidelines for elementary and junior high schools within fiscal 2016, which ends next March, and those for high schools in fiscal 2017.
Source: Jiji Image: Bank Image
