Day 16 Thoughts
Mpre educational/societal facts: Many students hire crammies, tutors who assist them with school work at home and help prepare students for the high school exams.
The school year for students attending public schools begins in April and runs until July when students receive a summer break. Students then attend from September until December and from January until March. They have trimesters. Children attend school 240 days per year including 2 Saturdays per month. Next year, however, students will not attend school on Saturdays. Although most of the American teachers expected to see signs of advanced technology in the schools, this was not the case. Japan is known for their production of technological equipment, but they have consider themselves to be behind many advanced nations with regard to technology in schools. The Ministry of Education stated that increasing technological studies within schools is included in the educational reforms. I noticed a lab of Dell computers in the high school we visited and IMacs in a school for children with Downs Syndrome. Otherwise, I did not notice computers anywhere but in the teachers' rooms. The educational reforms which are expected to be in place by 2002 also include changes which will provide for a greater focus on learning English, Japanese cultural traditions and lifelong learning. Currently, the Japanese society is experiencing an economic recession. Jobs are scarce and business are not as strong as they once were. Once Japanese working men could receive a "good job" and expect lifetime job security within the firm with pay raises based on the length of time an individual was with a company. This is becoming less common. Workers have less job security and could be replaced by more qualified individuals. Graduates of teaching colleges are having great difficulty finding jobs. Approximately 30% of graduating teachers find jobs within the first year. The number of women in the working environment has increased recently. Approximately 80% of women work, although, many work part time jobs. While women are still responsible for raising the children, the society is trying to encourage employers to offer shorter working hours for men with children so that fathers will have a more influential role in a child's life. Yikes! That was a lot of information to digest.
PTA members wanted to know what our kids do on Saturdays and if they spend too much money.
Name:
Anne O'Brien