With schools shut down and students' learning seriously delayed amid the spread of the new coronavirus, suggestions are being made that the school year should start in September. However, this could create problems, as it would result in a gap between the time school ends and when graduating students can enter the workforce and other parts of society.
"Having schools start in September is a global standard adopted by many countries," Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said during an online discussion Tuesday with education critic Naoki Ogi.
"It would help bring foreign students [to Japan]. This is an opportunity for a paradigm shift that could greatly change our society," Koike said.
The governors of 17 prefectures, including Miyagi, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi, included the option of having schools start in September in an urgent message, adopted on Tuesday, from their alliance to the central government. The National Governors' Association also plans to bring up the idea during its web meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
"We're conducting a simulation of school starting in September, as one option," said Koichi Hagiuda, minister of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, at a news conference on Tuesday.
"You can count on your hands how many developed nations in the world start their schools in April," Hagiuda said. "If we agree there is no other option to ensure children's learning across the country, it becomes a big option."
Taking into account the problems this would create, the minister added, "This would affect every aspect of society and require numerous adjustments."
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