Have you ever heard anything about the school system in Japan? It's very different from the U.S. We hope you find it interesting!
School systems and years are different
Japanese education is based on the premise that everyone should be educated to the same level. For example, students are tested repeatedly until they pass the test, and the goal is to achieve uniformly high grades in all subjects. It's believed that this educational method helps students develop an attitude of never giving up and repeatedly working hard to improve their abilities. Another characteristic of Japanese education is that being able to do well is taken for granted, and those who cannot do well are subjected to instruction.
There are assigned classes and classrooms to which students and teachers belong
By assigning students to specific classes and classrooms, students are always working together, which fosters a sense of solidarity and cooperation. A teacher is also assigned to each classroom, so they can take care of their students better.
There is a teacher and staff office
Teachers and staff are also able to keep in close contact with each other due to the presence of a teacher and staff room.
School lunches are provided inside the classroom, usually by students
While schools in the U.S. generally have cafeteria meals, Japanese school lunches are superior in terms of nutrition, because they are prepared by a nutritionist. In addition, the school lunch culture reflects the concept of "nutrition education" that is widely prevalent in Japan.
The students who are in charge for providing lunch wear a hat and face mask, bring pots and dishes from the kitchen to the classroom, and provide them to their classmates as shown in the picture. When they're done, they also bring them back to the kitchen.
Students clean classrooms and facilities As for cleaning, in other countries, the mainstream practice is to leave cleaning to contractors. In Japan, on the other hand, it’s believed that students are given a sense of responsibility by cleaning their own classrooms and facilities. The fact that Japanese streets are kept relatively clean is partly due to the national character of the people, but may also be due to this educational method.
There are many events
Japanese schools have many events throughout the year, such as entrance and graduation ceremonies, chorus competition, sports festival, and school festival. Usually, each class competes against each other, and good classes receive awards. By having everyone work together toward the overall goal of an event, it provides an opportunity to develop a sense of solidarity, teamwork, and planning skills.
There are school uniforms, gym uniforms, and different footwear for on- and off-campus activities
The school uniform and gym uniform, as well as the change of footwear for commute, inside the school, athletic shoes for the ground, and gym shoes, is another characteristic of Japanese education, which has a lot to do with the Japanese culture of choosing clothes according to TPO. The school uniforms used to be decided by gender, but some schools let the students choose if they want to wear pants or a skirt nowadays.