The government will slash the number of optional subjects at high schools to 198 from the current 261.

The Education, Science and Technology Ministry released on Monday revisions to the curriculum to that effect.

Under the revisions, the ministry will eliminate 63 optional subjects by combining or removing subjects which are deemed overly specialized or overlapping.

The ministry will also introduce a three-stage curriculum for high school English and mathematics, allowing students to choose levels appropriate for their academic performance and future plans.

The revisions, if finalized at the end of the year, will apply to first and second graders in elementary schools as well as first year middle school and high school students from 2014.