Music education at general secondary schools in Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia

This paper presents a study looking at music education at general secondary schools in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. The principal research problem the study aims to focus on, or draw attention to, is the necessity and benefits of music education as a part of general education at upper secondary level. It presents a content analysis of selected curricular documents: Ramcovy vzdelavaci program pro gymnasia/the Framework Educational Programme (National Curriculum) for Gymnasiums (grammar-type secondary schools), 'Statny vzdelavaci program pre gymnazia v Slovenskej republike/the State Education Programme for Gymnasiums in Slovakia, ISCED 3A complete general secondary education, and Podstawa programowa dla lyceum ogolnoksztalcace. The study also includes a research survey whose objective is to compare the opinions of teachers of music subjects at general secondary schools on specific aspects of music education and the form of completing music education at general secondary schools in the chosen countries. The survey questions focus on the content, methods and forms of music education and the form or options for completing it (school leaving exam in music). The study is based on original research of a quantitative nature undertaken through questionnaires. The electronic questionnaires were distributed to teachers of music subjects at general secondary schools in all regional capitals in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. The data acquired was mainly processed using the Statistica statistical methods program. Implementation of the research investigation through the chosen research methods (theoretical content analysis of curricular documents and questionnaire survey) provides a comprehensive perspective on the issue under investigation