Recommended annual instruction time in full-time compulsory education in Europe 2020/21

One of the key elements in the learning process is the instruction time available to students. In fact, not only the quality of instruction but also the time spent for learning can have a positive effect on students’ learning process. This instruction time report analyses the recommended minimum instruction time in full-time compulsory general education in 39 European education systems for the year 2020/21. Special attention is paid to reading, writing and literature, mathematics, natural sciences and social studies. The report outlines how reading, writing and literature are the subject areas that take up the largest share of instruction time, especially in primary education. Mathematics represents the second largest share of instruction time. The report also briefly examines whether the COVID-19 crisis has affected total instruction time. In addition to the comparative analysis, the report also includes national diagrams that illustrate data by country and subject, collected jointly by the Eurydice and the OECD NESLI networks.