Linda Saab: Japan's Educational System

Dear Dr. Olga

I find it worthy to know the educational system of Japan. As we all know we were under Japanese regime from 1942 to 1945 .Japanese people are part of our past. Japanese government made reparation through JICA Projects like buildings ,comfort rooms etc. Japanese educational system passed through several pattern of government .In 1868,she patterned after that of German and French Model which is more of Science education. After the second world war ,she patterned the educational system in America.

I learned that the U.S is the model for the school system and that France was the model for the centralized administration system and the school district system. There was school fees before but it was abolished to increase the participation rate and a system of automatic progression was adopted. The Japanese Education is 6-3-3-4. The first nine years is compulsory education , grades 1-6 Elementary, Grade 7 to 9- Junior High School, Grades 10 to 12 Senior High School . They have no drop outs students because of automatic progression at elementary and junior high school. Over 90% of all students also graduate from high school and over 40% from university or junior college. The government provides lunch for the students so the students health are being taken care of .Healthy people are productive citizens. There report card is descriptive. They give attention to teach and use their language which Niponggo. There class schedule starts at 8:30 and end at 3:30. With in this schedule includes Lunch and tooth brushing , recess cleaning, self-study. I learned that their educational system is effective because their progress is evident. The government strictly implement the policies and promote love.

As what universities did , the Japanese school system are looking forward to entrance exams in all level from elementary to college, and with them a high competitiveness among students. In order to pass entrance exams to the best institutions, many students attend special preparation schools (juku) besides regular classes, or for one to two years between high school and university (yobiko) because passing entrance exams in the university is a distinctive mark. The most prestigious universities are national national University of Tokyo and University of Kyoto, followed by the best private universities. Private universities are considered best also in many other nations.