Setting the aims for cultural and artistic aspects of general education is the responsibility of the Ministry of National Education. Educational aims specified in the core curriculum refer to arts and culture in the following way: ...As part of its educational activities, the school should ensure in particular that pupils: ...8) learn about the heritage of national culture perceived from the perspective of European culture. As part of their educational activities and supporting parents in their duties, teachers should aim to ensure in particular that pupils: (1) find in their school an environment conducive to their comprehensive personal development (in intellectual, psychological, social, health-related, aesthetic, moral and spiritual terms); and (2) develop their cognitive curiosity geared towards the search of the truth, goodness and beauty in the world. This paper contains the following sections: (1) Responsibility and purpose; (2) Organisation and aims of arts education; (3) Special provision with a focus on art education; (4) Assessment of pupils' progress and monitoring of standards in the arts; (5) Teacher education in the arts; (6) Initiatives; and (7) Ongoing reforms and proposals. (Contains 2 footnotes.)