Instruction for Mathematics and Science in Primary and Lower Secondary Grades
Exhibits 5 to 7 present the instructional time, in 50 minute periods, allocated for mathematics and science per week and per year at various levels according to the national curriculum.
Exhibit 5: Distribution of Mathematics Instruction in Basic Education, Grades 1–9
| Elementary Level | Intermediate Level | ||||||||
| First Cycle | Second Cycle | ||||||||
| Grades | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Periods per Week | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Periods per Year | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 |
Exhibit 6: Distribution of Science Instruction in Basic Education, Grades 1–6
| Elementary Level | ||||||
| First Cycle | Second Cycle | |||||
| Grade | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Periods per Week | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Periods per Year | 60 | 60 | 90 | 120 | 120 | 150 |
Exhibit 7: Distribution of Science Instruction by Subject in Basic Education, Grades 7–9
| Intermediate Level | |||
| Grade | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Physics | |||
| Periods per Week | 1.5 | 2 | 2 |
| Periods per Year | 45 | 60 | 60 |
| Chemistry | |||
| Periods per Week | 1.5 | 2 | 2 |
| Periods per Year | 45 | 60 | 60 |
| Life and Earth Sciences | |||
| Periods per Week | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Periods per Year | 90 | 60 | 60 |
Grade at Which Specialist Teachers for Mathematics and Science are Introduced
In Lebanon, students are first taught mathematics and science by specialists in Grade 7, when the science subjects are taught separately.
In Cycles 1 and 2 of basic education (elementary level), mathematics and science courses are taught by general classroom teachers. The same teacher may teach mathematics, science, and language courses, for example. In Cycle 3 (intermediate level), there are two types of teachers: nonspecialist and specialist. All teachers at the secondary level are subject specialists, and are required to hold a university degree in their area of specialization. Chemistry teachers, for example, must be university graduates with a degree in chemistry.
Instructional Materials, Equipment, and Laboratories
In the public sector, schools are required to use books produced by the ECRD. In the private sector, schools are allowed to choose their own books, and may use books produced by the ECRD or by private publishers.
Use of Technology
The curriculum designates weekly periods for teaching computers as a separate subject. However, neither teachers nor students are required to use computers in other courses, including mathematics and science. The use of calculators (most kinds) is required in mathematics and is optional in other subjects.
Accommodation Policies for Instruction and Testing
Regarding accommodation policies for testing, please refer to “Monitoring Student Progress in Mathematics and Science.”