The education ministry has unveiled revised education curriculum guidelines that will keep pupils in class longer to learn more, marking a turnaround from its education-with-latitude policy in the wake of reported declines in Japanese students' scholastic capabilities.

It represents the first increase in class hours and learning content in about 30 years, and also marks a change from the current curriculum guidelines that were revised in 1998.

The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry said it will formally publish the guidelines in late March after soliciting public comments.