Education minister Koichi Hagiuda said Friday that the government is considering starting the school year from September as an option if the school closures continue for an extended period of time due to the new coronavirus outbreak.
Some voice had called for the government to take such a measure.
"We're aware that such opinions are being voiced in a variety of places," Hagiuda said at a press conference on the day, noting that factors, including a possibility of an extension of the emergency declaration -- originally set to expire on May 6 -- will be taken into consideration.
"We'd like to respond to the situation while considering all possibilities," the minister said.
An ordinance for the enforcement of the School Education Law stipulates that kindergartens, elementary, junior high and high school years are set to begin in April, and a revision of this ordinance would become necessary should the beginning of school terms be changed to September. As for universities, the decision of an appropriate time to start the term rests with the individual presidents.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
