Education today is a fundamental element for the growth of human beings all around the world. Every world has its own way of teaching and raising the children in order to become a part of the unique culture each country has, and the Japanese education system in no different. Japan's populace is well-educated and the society values education as a high platform for socioeconomic and gaining employment in the country's high-tech economy. Educated adults in Japan, mostly graduates in sciences and engineering to benefit economically and socially from their education and skill in the country's high tech economy.
Education system
Most students attend public school through the lower secondary level, and attend private schools to upper secondary and university levels. Children aged from 3 to 5 years attend kindergartens and day-care centers. Lower secondary level starts at an age of 6 years old. The academic year starts from April and ends in March, a summer vacation in August and winter vacation in the end of December to the beginning of January.
School usually starts at 8:30 a.m and ends about 3:00 or 3:30 p.m on weekdays. There was a half day addition in schooling on Saturday mornings, But gradually schools have been dropping the Saturdays schedule and only keeping to a five-day school week.
Language
The language used in Japanese school is, of course, the Japanese language. The use of three different types of character systems in the written language (Kanji, hiragana, and katakana). The complexity of the written language means that Japanese students spend may years studying their own language.
In fact, a school could use other languages. There are now a few schools who are using the English language to teach both science and mathematics classes, ad is now studied by almost all students in Japan. The entrance exams for high school and universities test for the English ability. The government consider making English as Japan's official second language. Given the need to increase the global literacy of the population, it is consider that all students should be able to speak English before they start working after their schooling. But because speaking, listening, reading and writing English is taught in school, it is required the upgrading of English language training in Japan.
The use of technology in Japanese Schools.
Japan continues to grow the use of technology in education at all levels. Computers are used in 97.7 percent of primary schools, 99.9 percent of lower secondary schools, and 100 percent of upper secondary schools. Audiovisual media is widely used in Japan, television, audiotapes and videotapes are a high support for teaching. Another technology Japan has started to use is the distance education. Distance education is the education of students who may not be physically present at a school. This usually involves online education. The Waseda University in Japan, is now becoming quite active in the field. It has already been linked up to five university around the country to offer real-time online classes. That change, as well as the spread of internet and related technology, suggests that Japan will be a major player in distance education in years to come.
Facts about schools in Japan
- Teachers do not send students out of the classroom
Kids are kids, there is always two or three kids that tend to misbehave the class. In Japan, sending misbehave students out of the classroom is a big NO. The Japanese constitution states that all people should have the right to receive equal education. So teachers are used to keeping their cool and continuing with the lesson without sending any student outside.
- Everyone eats the same meal at school for lunch, and the students serve it.
In Japan, students have to eat the same kind of meal and finish it in the allowed time. Most public schools do not have cafeterias where you can purchase a meal, so the students do not get the chance to buy their own meal, but in certain occasions, homemade lunch boxes are allowed as long as it apply the school rules.
- Students and teachers eat together in the classroom
Teachers and students eat lunch in groups with their desks arranged to face each other. That is for them to learn that the classroom is not only a place for leaning but also enjoying each other's company over lunch as well.
- There are no Janitors
In Japan, the school do not need a janitor for cleanliness. The students themselves roll up their sleeves and clean every single part of the school, including toilets. Students, teacher, school staff and even leaders such as principals join in cleaning. Each person have assigned their own areas. During the schedule, there is a time for cleaning everyday which they call it SOUJI. The students sit in silence for a couple of minutes before cleaning to meditate and prepare their minds and bodies. The point of hiring someone to clean up the school for them is completely strange.
In my point of view, concluding what I have learnt from the educational system in Japan, I found it a very interesting system. I think the way they take education very serious is very important, and the way they make no differences between teachers and students is also a great idea. I hope one day our country could be able to have some kinds of rules like this.
References:
https://brightside.me/wonder-places/10-distinctive-features-of-the-japanese-education-system-that-made-this-nation-the-envy-of-the-world-214655/
https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/738/Japan-EDUCATIONAL-SYSTEM-OVERVIEW.html
https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/738/Japan-EDUCATIONAL-SYSTEM-OVERVIEW.html
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