The Ministry of Education and Research introduces two new optional subjects at secondary school level. It is about “Elements of Digital Media Education” and “Education for life: choose! act! inspire!”, designed to develop fundamental skills needed today. The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Daniel David, who spoke about the importance of these subjects in adapting the school to today’s social and digital realities.
The digital media education elective is being introduced for the first time at the middle school level and is a direct response to the challenges of the online environment that children face. At the same time, the discipline prepares students for the study of digital media education at high school, a subject that will be maintained in the future curriculum reform.
“Both subjects target fundamental skills for today’s world, so I would be happy if students choose them in large numbers! In terms of digital media education, this approach (1) is introduced for the first time at the middle school level and is thus an adaptation of the school to the challenges that children are subjected to in the world we live in, but (2) it also prepares the prerequisites for the digital media discipline that already exists at the high school level (and which will also be preserved in the new curriculum change at the high school level). With reference to education for life, the curriculum updates existing contents at the gymnasium level and anticipates the new contents of this type, introduced through the reform of the curriculum at the high school level”. said Daniel David, in a press release.
Discipline “Elements of Digital Media Education” aims to train students’ ability to responsibly manage interaction with media and digital technologies, respecting the principles of democratic citizenship. Students will be encouraged to express their views in an informed and responsible way and to understand the impact of using the digital environment.
“Education for Life: Choose! Act! Inspire!”
The second optional, “Education for life: choose! act! inspire!”, it takes place over three years and follows the progressive development of students. In Grade V, the module “I Choose!” supports students to identify their personal values and justify their decisions. In the 6th grade, “I Act!” emphasizes responsibility, collaboration and perseverance. In the 7th grade, “I Inspire!” aims to develop collaborative leadership, resilience and courage in the face of challenges.
The Minister of Education emphasized that this discipline promotes a pedagogy based on experience and action, designed to help students understand the importance of responsible decisions and the positive impact they can have in the community.
The programs of the two subjects were made in collaboration with the Center for Independent Journalism and the Maxwell Association and are available on the website of the National Center for Curriculum and Evaluation (CNCE). The documents have been sent to be published in the Official Gazette.
