Japanese School

Education in Japan:

The elementary schools in Japan are called Shōgakkō. The country boasts of 100% literacy and rightly so, with almost all the established elementary school aged children enrolled. Education in Japan begins at the tender age of six. Much importance is attached to the enrolling and the initial use of the books and stationery. Japan imparts knowledge to its young ones via established public schools. There are private schools too, but they are costly and though prestigious, they help the students to graduate onto the higher-level private schools affiliated, and finally universities and hence, the cost factor ripples on. Nevertheless, just like in any other part of the world today, there is stiff competition to enroll in these schools.

Elementary education in Japanese schools:

The public elementary education in Japan is free. However, there are some school expenses that are borne by parents. These include the snack expenses, extra supplies like extra books and tuition fees for private lessons. Such expenses in the case of the private elementary schools are substantially higher. In elementary school, the class rooms are large enough to accommodate about thirty students per class. There is no restriction on the student number though. The class is broken up into small work groups and they alternatively handle academic and disciplinary functions.

Non-academic pursuits in Japanese schools:

Japanese schools stress on the importance of discipline in student life. The students are encouraged to shoulder a sense of responsibility from the very beginning. In Japanese schools, student monitors assume responsibility for overall class turn out and class room décor. The responsibility of the school maintenance, beyond the board and management, rests on all the students on roll. The children learn a variety of subjects, academic and non-academic. The latter category they are given value education to inculcate moral values and a chance to indulge in preparation for the different school activities and ceremonies. These activities are designed and scheduled around character and personality development and team work.

Academic pursuits in Japanese schools:

The curriculum in Japanese schools include language, math, science and social studies. These are balanced within the class room, with subjects like art, music, home-science and physical education. Moral education is a very important component of education in Japan, with the Japanese language being the most stressed upon subject. The language is not only distinctly different from any other language, but complex in application too. The complexity of the script and the diversity of the oral form requires an early education.

The education reform in Japan:

The education reform movement established in the 1980s reviewed the then existent curriculum. The important changes that came about because of the reform movement included increased number of hours to learn the Japanese language well and the replacement of the social sciences with designed courses on social ethics and environmental education. The reform implemented ways and means to teach the children how to effectively interact in society and increased emphasis on moral education. Renewed emphasis was given to the importance of the symbols unique to the nation and the nation's pride like the national flag and anthem.

Teachers in Japanese schools:

Teachers in Japanese schools teach the children effective participation in school ceremonies along with ensuring the correct understanding of the subjects within the curriculum. They are infused with the responsibility of emphasizing on cultural legacies and biographies of key figures in Japanese history. Elementary teachers are responsible for all subjects, and remain within their class room for most activities. Most teachers are women; however, most heads of faculties and principals are men.

The system of imparting education in Japan:

Most of the elementary schools in Japan utilize and optimize the television and radio. The class room and graded programs are prepared and presented as per the rules laid down by the School Education Division. All schools in Japan are well equipped with computers. The elementary school children receive a well planned and balanced lunch, which is subsidized by the government, but not entirely free. Meals are had in the class room, with the teacher imparting information on nutrition and good eating habits. The students not only serve the lunch, but clean up too!