【明報專訊】For the first time ever, Spain's education ministry (西班牙教育部) is planning to introduce courses in bullfighting as an optional subject in state schools.

Students aged 16 or above will learn bullfighting skills and rules. "Tauromachy is an artistic practice which forms part of popular tradition and culture..." The education ministry claimed. Officials think bullfighting is an important part of Spanish culture.

Understanding its origins, development and beliefs is an essential part of the course. A professional training certificate in "Tauromachy - bullfighting - and Auxiliary Livestock Activities" (鬥牛及輔助牲畜活動) will be given to students upon completing the course.

The move has been criticised by Pacma, an animal rights organisation in Spain, which says it is "a joke of Spain's educational system". The group has also criticised the government for letting young people to study how to torture an animal to death. (source: Ming Pao, The Telegraph)

■Photo story

Two students are practising moves at a bullfighting school in Madrid, Spain.

■ Words

tauromachy 鬥牛

auxiliary 輔助

animal rights organisation 動物維權組織

■Quiz

Choose the correct answers. (answers on next text)

1. What is the proposed age at which students begin to study bullfighting?

a. 12

b. 10

c. 16

2. What do students study in the course?

a. How to ride a bull

b. How to fight a bull

c. How to cook a bull

3. Who have criticised the bullfighting course?

a. young people

b. officials

c. Pacma members

4. Which of the following can replace "letting" in paragrah 4 ?

a. allowing

b. telling

c. asking

■Glossary

optional (adj) 可選擇的

claim (v) 聲稱

criticise (v) 批評

torture (v) 折磨