What kind of society will we live in 20 years from now? It is hard to imagine it.
Children will live in a rapidly changing world of technological innovation and globalization. It is hoped that they will believe in themselves, striving to achieve their dreams and opening the way to the future.
How do we nurture human resources suitable to the new era? This is a significant task imposed on adults. Society as a whole needs to support the healthy growth of children. On the first Children's Day of the Reiwa era, awareness of this commitment must be stressed anew.
Pursue active learning
Some researchers believe that 65 percent of children will in the future take jobs that do not exist now, as a result of developments in artificial intelligence.
Holding on to conventional ways of thinking and being passive will be of no use. Making one's own judgments to set a goal and identifying the necessary tasks, leading the way to a solution while cooperating with a wide variety of people, and creating new value by combining knowledge and information -- these will be the qualities and abilities required in the future.
Classrooms are changing dramatically from those seen at the beginning of the Heisei era.
"It's not working well." "Let's adjust the sensor sensitivity." Children operate a tablet computer through trial and error, while discussing it with their friends.
This is a scene from computer programming education adopted in a science class at Nishihara Elementary School in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. The students at this public school formulate a program that controls a sensor and a motor on the computer to produce such devices as a buzzer that automatically beeps upon sensing a human body and a propeller that turns on when it reaches a certain temperature.
The students are reportedly improving their ability to sort out their thoughts and express themselves by accumulating experience at clarifying tasks and succeeding at them one by one.
Information literacy key
New school curriculum guidelines that will come into effect from the 2020 academic year put importance on active learning. The conventional classes in which teachers unilaterally lecture students are likely to gradually decrease.
Children nowadays have been surrounded by IT devices ever since they could remember. They can instantly access all sorts of information if they search online. The world children can know about has greatly expanded.
However, there is a lot of information of unknown authenticity on the internet. There will also be more occasions to use the internet in schools. For this reason, it is indispensable to cultivate the ability to determine whether information is true or false by using newspapers and other materials.
What is the situation facing shopping streets that children are familiar with? What will happen if global warming goes unchecked? It is important for them to have an interest in real-life social problems from early on.
They could be advised to interview people working in their towns, or hear what specialists say. Having contact with society stimulates children's curiosity. Children's learning should be supported in various places, not just confined to school.
In the Heisei era, the severity of the environment surrounding children came to light.
There seems to be no end to tragic cases of child abuse. Since the Child Abuse Prevention Law took effect in 2000, the number of cases handled by child consultation centers has increased to 130,000 annually, partly due to growing public concerns about the problem. Deaths of abused children total about 80 annually.
Although cooperation among child consultation centers and other relevant organizations must be increased as a matter of course, people in communities should be sensitive to any unusual changes seen in children.
The problem of children living in poor families has also drawn public attention. One of the factors behind the issue is that the finances of families raising small children have been adversely affected by an increase in low-wage, nonpermanent employment due to a recession following the collapse of the bubble economy.
Overcome challenges
There is solace in the spread of moves to extend a helping hand to children in each community who are experiencing difficulties. Such activities are taking root through the operation of kodomo shokudo -- children's cafeterias where meals are offered for free or at low prices -- and student volunteers working to support children's learning.
Community people's warm eyes and thoughtful attention are important for nurturing children's self-pride and motivation. Support measures should be further expanded.
Starting in October, early childhood education and childcare services will be made free of charge.
What is important is facilitating an environment in which children will grow in good health. It is necessary not only to secure sufficient facilities that can be used to ensure there will be no children on waiting lists for admission to day nurseries, but also to increase the number of childcare workers there, while also improving the quality of such personnel.
A person's childhood greatly affects their growth at a later period. Every child must be provided with appropriate education and care services.
The Yomiuri Chukosei Shimbun has conducted a questionnaire on its target readers of high school and junior high school students regarding what kinds of values should be cherished in the new era. "Peace" was ranked first, followed by "safety" and "freedom from anxiety."
A peaceful, safe and untroubled society cannot be realized without taking steps. It is hoped that children will advance step by step in the era of Reiwa, determined to build a future with their own hands, as they are the driving force behind that objective.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 5, 2019)
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