Starting next year, all middle school students will be allowed to spend one semester with a flexible curriculum and no tests, as part of the government's move to let them explore their future career paths.

Under a revised regulation issued in advance by the Education Ministry on Monday, the so-called free-semester system will provide students the chance to focus on non-academic subjects such as debate and club activities, along with various career-building experiences, during one semester in middle school.

The government plans to implement the new system at up to 70 percent of all middle schools nationwide this year before expanding it to all schools next year.