Schools

The part of our journey we had all been waiting for - the visit to the schools

The allied victory in 1945 brought about not only the military occupation of Japan, but a total reformation of the educational system.  The new model was American in form, with a 6-3-3 system of six years of elementary school, three years of junior high school, and three years of high school. 

Kanoya City Kanoya Girls High School

Masaruu Sakamoto, Principal

A Japanese lesson with Mr. Nakayama.  One of his students is Yuka Nakamura (see home stay).

Ms. Ikehata gives me a calligraphy lesson.  Mr. Honda, the art teacher, helps a student.

Lunch with students.  After lunch students clean their room.

 After school activities include choir, music, calligraphy, tea ceremony, sports, and many more.  Students attend school from early in the morning until late in the afternoon.  In the evening, many attend juku, or cram schools in order to get into the best universities.

Kanoya City Daiichi Kanoya Junior High School

Kunihiro Kawasako, Principal

After morning assembly, students' attendance and health is checked.

Education is centralized and children across Japan follow the
same curriculum.  See an example of the school day below.

There will be no school on Saturdays starting in school year 2001-2002.

An hour for lunch gives students time to digest their food,
and time to chat with their friends before cleaning their room.

Lunch is rice, soy yeast bread, and soup.

Kanoya City Nishiharadai Elementary School

Tetsuro Shibata, Principal

Morning assembly and a special English lesson with older students.

Calligraphy and math lessons, with children's art in hallways.

Lunch is served by students.  After lunch and free time students clean.

Every school we visited had a pool.  Group time and time alone,  a rare sight. 

Leave your shoes at the front door, but don't lose them.