An education ministry council has compiled a report to include the full-scale introduction of a subject teacher system in the upper grades of elementary schools by the 2022 school year.
The ministry's Central Council for Education chaired by Koichiro Watanabe also included in the report proposals for reforming courses for regular high schools and establishing standards for special-needs schools.
The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry plans to accelerate deliberations to put the proposals into practice.
The council, which has been discussing the issue since 2019, compiled the report as "the Japanese-style education for the Reiwa era," which it aims to realize through the 2020s.
One of the pillars of the report is the introduction of a subject teacher system in elementary schools in which each subject is taught by a teacher with expertise in that field.
Currently, most elementary schools have a class teacher system in which a homeroom teacher teaches almost all the subjects.
By introducing the subject teacher system for fifth and sixth graders, "it will be possible to provide [students with] detailed guidance, and the quality of classes will improve," the council said. The report cited English, science and math as examples of subjects to be covered.
As for courses at regular high schools, which are attended by 70% of high school students, the council asked schools to promote unique and interesting educational opportunities, including encouraging students to engage in interdisciplinary fields, focus on social issues and become involved with their local communities to get hands-on experience.
As part of efforts to improve the educational environment of special-needs schools, the report also called for the government to create a set of standards on establishing special-needs schools and specifying the amenities the schools should have.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
