Education in Japan - Research Paper Example

In some cases, reformers have explicitly pointed to education system to have an important link to the creation of more efficient and effective learning environments. However, some of these studies also point towards an increase in psychological problems and many societal issues among Japanese children today. Numbers of studies have proved strong relation between extraordinary high standard of education system and activities of private schools and psychological problems in students of elementary schools in Japan.

(Fullan, 35) As long as a child is in Junior High School in Japan, he can only attend the school which is located near their home. (Stevenson, Azuma and Hakuta, 210) Though, senior high schools can be attended anywhere within a city: this leads to a competition between schools, every student becomes willing to go to the best school and every school looks to get the best students of the city. More than 25% of senior high schools in Japanese cities are owned privately, that shows the degree of the competition at higher levels schooling in Japan.

This is the time, when Japanese parents are ready to pay substantial amounts of money to make their children get admission in the best school. According to a survey, 1,073 students of private schools of Japan were observed. Out of them about 67% studied visual and arts subjects such as music, painting, abacus and calligraphy. About 25% of these students attended 3-4 times/ week, and rest of the students about 18% attended these classes 5 or more times in a week. Results showed that increasing attendance of these classes produced dizziness, alteration in sleep pattern and several other psycho physiological problems.

Such results warn educationalists and parents both of adverse effects of these extracurricular activities. (Matsumoto, K. Kaku, R. Nakagawa, K and Kaneko,