Educational System in Japan - Essay Example

?Japan’s educational system According to Ashton and Green (1996), the education system of Japan is known to be of high standards. The ministry of education, science, sports and culture that is referred to as Monbusho governs the public education system in Japan. According to Hativa (2000), the Japanese education system has undergone several transformations since it was formed in 1871. Japan currently has an education system, which is comparable to that of United States (Tsuneyoshi, 2001). In this system, students attend the elementary school for six years, junior high school for three years and senior high school for another three years. They also attend the university for four years or join the community college for two years. Buckley (1998) indicates that of the total number of students, 90percent, and more graduate from high school. However, in higher learning institutions, at least 40 percent graduates, this shows the importance of education in the society of Japan. Those with disabilities are also considered but under separate schools. The country is keen to provide all individuals with equal educational opportunities hence, known to be one of the countries with high literacy rates in the world. According to Shields (2004), the year for most schools in Japan begins in April and has three terms. These terms are separated by spring, winter and summer holidays. However, the summer break is just one month. Students have an option to or not join the kindergarten when beginning. In 2000, the numbers of children in school were estimated to be half the total population of Japan. This was opposed to the requirements of the state. According to Japan’s educational system rules, children who join the kindergarten must be 3 years and above and their parents have to meet the tuition fee required. At the age of 6 to 12 years, children attend elementary school known as Shogakkou. This is the first phase of the compulsory education in Japan (Okimoto and Rohlen, 1998). The curriculum in the Elementary school is divided into moral education, subjects, and special education. The subjects that are studied include languages, arithmetic, and life environmental studies, physical and moral education. In the special activities, students get involved in several club events. In this phase, students have play breaks and go on recess. Those between the age of 12 and 15 attend Chugakkou, which is junior high school. This phase is crucial for all students as it determines the future of an individual student. The performance here determines if one will get admission to a good senior high school or not. Joining a good senior high school increases the chances of an individual to join the best universities and later attain a better career in life. In this phase, students have to extend after school and are required to attend Juku. Juku is a cram school that is meant to help students increase their knowledge grasping power and bright students are pushed to the next phase. Juku also assists students in the preparation of exams meant for high school entry. Entrance exams enable students compete for the best high schools. It is normal for students to be in school for 12 hours. This excludes the homework given and other different activities. This pressure on Japanese students prepares them to compete for high school positions. According to Dore and Sako (1989) the Japanese education System has special arrangements where students can also work full time, while attending senior high school part time. The Japanese education system has the following outstanding features that include; first, schooling occupies childhood and adolescence stages completely, secondly, the development of the compulsory education both pre and post is privatized. Thirdly, under the single-track system, general education is preferred. Fourth, classmates are automatically promoted according to seniority. Fifth, the number of non-Japanese students and adults enrolled in different schools in Japan is low. Sixth, the country is known to have high education achievement though with minimal variation. Seventh, in the education system there are entrance examinations that meant for unique screening. Eighth, in the Japanese education system, the school management is independent. Strengths From the early phase students learn how to maintain relationships with peers observe school routines and be punctual. Student responsibility and stewardship is emphasized in the classroom management through daily activities that include cleaning of classroom floor and desks. Students also learn to maintain loyalties in their various social groups that include their class, after school circles and different sports team. In addition, skills in leadership and subordinates roles are learnt from different duties assigned to students that include lunchtime and class monitor duties. Unlike the schools in the west, Japan teaching culture is unique. Teachers are committed to developing holistic culture and are concern with issues such as personal hygiene, nutrition, and sleep. This is not the case with most teachers in the west. Students are taught good manners, and how to address adults and their peers in a polite way. Public speaking skills are learnt in various school events and regular class meetings. According to Bird (2001), many foreign observers have been attracted to the Japanese education system. Japanese students are known to be hardworking, well disciplined, and even pleasant. This has led to the assumption that Japanese Schools enables their students to socialize and be taught in an effective manner. Since 1960s, Japan has managed to maintain its top position internationally in the various academic achievement tests. In Japan, the main objective of classroom teaching, the curriculum, and textbooks is meant to provide equal opportunity for all Students to advance in similar pace. In primary level, the Japanese system is impressive. It focuses mainly on inquiry and different explanations. Primary school students are given adequate opportunity to choose whether to do self-study or to form small groups of study. The whole class joins after a given period in order to hold a discussion on the different findings and conclusions arrived at. The major aim for this is to come up with a communal classroom. Every student is given an opportunity to lead the whole classroom. They are also greatly involved in organizing different activities that include cleaning, fun and various games. Through this, sense of mutual consideration and respect is cultured. In the Japanese system, lower secondary education is focused towards equipping all students with appropriate life habits and basic study. This is an addition to the school’s commitment to have all students master their learning. In the entire education system, with major focus being on both the primary and the secondary levels, teachers have a great obligation to oversee socialization of all the students. Japanese students are required to submit their own daily diaries or their study schedule to their teachers. This helps in developing individuals needs to regulate and examine his or her own behavior. It also acts as a means of communication between students and their teachers. According to Durlabhji and Marks, (1993) at secondary schools, majority of the students are involved in various after school clubs. Schoolteachers conduct these clubs and different activities are offered, which include cultural and even sporting. These activities take place on daily basis. Sport clubs are of great significance because it imparts a culture of hard work and self-discipline to the students at an early age. It also boosts the development of different abilities that are non-academic. These extra curriculum activities help students to socialise and feel sense companionship. Japanese education systems generally have been outstanding because students are in a position to develop in all aspects that includes properly developed social and mental potentials. Through this, students are well placed in the desired careers and are more likely to contribute positively to the society. Part-time senior high school is of great importance to the students. Unlike full time senior high school education, part time students are considered socially mature and very attentive. This is because students make their decisions to go for the part time classes, unlike the full time study where it is the parents’ decision. Part time students will be committed to complete their study that takes a longer period than those studying on full time basis. This program helps students to be responsible and to develop time management skills. According to Aspinall (2001), Japanese education system encourages standard modes of teaching. This is supported by the cultural factors and the training schools for all teachers. Cram schools that are referred to as Juku offer special attention to all students. The main purpose of Juku is to push the bright students to attain good performance and the weak ones to catch up with the rest of students. Hence, a Japanese system offers equal preparation to all students in order to perform as required. A student who takes cram schools seriously is more likely to join the best high schools and later University. Weaknesses Japan schools have also been criticized. There is no freedom in the Japanese education system for students to undertake exploratory learning. This is because great emphasis is focused towards community and individuals learning in groups. Secondly, there is minimal time allocated for lower secondary teachers to plan for the various lessons and marking. This restriction is brought about by several commitments to students developments of which most are non-academic. Thirdly, most Japanese students pay little attention to creative and critical thinking. This is because different Writing skills are not included in the final university and high school entry examinations. In fact, the system focuses on factual knowledge and reading comprehension even in the local Japanese subjects. In addition, majority of the teachers do not have adequate time to mark the essays and they lack the appropriate experience to conduct assessment. Therefore, at the upper secondary and even in the university levels, subjects like science and math’s are known to be of world class, unlike arts and humanities which are poorly performed. Hence, the criticism that Japanese student with lots of potential lack the appropriate environment to be able to stretch their wings and soar, proves to be true. Several concerns have been raised about young people in Japan. Most of them Lack of adequate knowledge with regard to Japanese history, especially pre- 1945 imperialism. As a result, most young people in Japan become victims of nationalist protest. Japanese education has also been termed as being ineffective. In public schools, most Japanese students do not fully comprehend what is explained in various textbooks and what different teachers teach. Majority of the students are not attentive in class and teachers are less concern about the students. With Juku being in place, the system is even worse. The main purpose of Juku is to equip students with various information and knowledge to enables them attain good performance. Through this, they will be able to attain entrance in the best universities in the country. This Way, most individuals will not be able to gain the proper knowledge in different fields since their aim is just to attain good results and go to the best institution. Even though the Japanese system of education is considered to be of high standards worldwide, it has been criticized as causing psychological problems. Some critics of the Japanese system claim that stress among the Japanese students has resulted in increased cases of psychological problems. The pressure on students is high since they have to attain good performance in order to join good schools. This pressure starts at a very early age. In addition, minimal child physical activity together with the better diet provided and modifications in the social habits has led to increased cases of obesity among the students. In the Japanese educational system, teaching is considered rigid and stagnant. The teaching method applied depends on every individual teacher concern with the subject. This is the case regardless of the fact that the education curriculum is set by the state. Parents are forced to spend more on the education of the children due to increase in the number of private schools and the increased pressure for students to perform. The junior high school attended determines a student entry to senior high schools that are considered the best. Hence, parents have to give their children the best education right from the beginning and that could be costly. Conclusion Though Japan education system has some weaknesses, the fact remains that it has been effective in providing high caliber work force. This is evidenced by the development level of Japan as compared to other countries. Japan has third largest economy after United States and China. Level of development has a strong positive correlation with the quality of an education system of a country. Bibliograghy Ashton,D, & Green, F 1996, Education, training, and the global economy, Edward Elgar Publishing,UK. Aspinall, R 2001,Teachers’ unions and the politics of education in Japan, SUNY Press, USA. Bird, A 2001, Encyclopedia of Japanese Business and Management, Routledge, USA. Buckley, R 1998, Japan today, Cambridge University Press, UK. Dore, R, & Sako,M 1989, 'How The Japanese Learn To Work' Routledge, USA. Durlabhji, S, & Marks, N1993, Japanese business: cultural perspectives, SUNY Press, India. Hativa, N 2000, Teaching for Effective Learning in Higher Education,Springer, Germany. Okimoto, D, & Rohlen, T1998, Inside the Japanese system: readings on contemporary society and political economy, Stanford University Press, USA. Shields, J 2004, Japanese Schooling: Patterns of Socialization, Equality, and Political Control, Tsuneyoshi, K, R 2001, The Japanese model of schooling: comparisons with the United States, Routledge, USA. Read More