Limiting factors in the teaching of nonobligatory subjects

Abstract

On the sample <x1 120 informants, pupils or the einglilli grade of middle school in five schools in Zagreb and Zadar area and by means of elaborated qtieslionairc tile author, on the basis of llie collected data, discusses the features of nonobligatory subjects as experienced by the pupils at the end of the middle school. What is most characteristic in the organization of such teaching is the lack of some essential conditions for the adequate organization and elaboration of such approach, The conditions are the following: 1. Choice, that is, free decision on the part of the pupils for the content of nonobligatory subject. This freedom is quite restricted by the organization of groups of selective subjects with two weaknesses. Firstly, the pupils have a small choice among subjects because instead of fifteen subjects that should be offered only three to five subjects arc actually given. Secondly, the pupils are put in a position to choose among the subjects whose contents are not known Io them although the subjects should be chosen by the pupils’ respective interests.; 2. The decisions about nonobligatory subjects are arrived at without previous examination of the interests and wishes of the pupils although the choice should be based on the pre-established interests.