THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IN

JAPAN Marinescu
Bogdan
WHAT MAKES JAPANESE SCHOOL
SYSTEM SO UNIQUE?
 Japanese state education system is a national pride
in this country, with a traditional approach that has
helped Japanese pupils easily outperform their
counterparts all around the world. PISA tests further
prove this.
 Japanese school system consists of:
 6 years of elementary school,
 3 years of junior high school,
 3 years of senior high school and
 4 years of University.
 Due to the fact that their educational system is so
good, Japan has one of the world’s best-educated
populations (with 100% enrollment in compulsory
grades and zero illiteracy). Even though high school
(koukou) is not compulsory, high school enrollment is
still pretty high: over 96% nationwide and nearly 100%
in the cities.
 Every class has its own classroom where students take
all the courses, except for practical trainings and
laboratory work. During elementary education, in most
cases, one teacher teaches all of the subjects in each
class. The number of students in one class is usually
under 40. However, in the past, because of the rapid
population growth, this number was lot higher,
exceeding 50 students per class.
 The subjects they study include Japanese, mathematics,
science, social studies, music, crafts, physical education,
and home economics (to learn simple cooking and
sewing skills). An increasing number of elementary
schools have started teaching English as well.
Information technology has been used to further
enhance education, and most schools have
internet access.
 HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING FACTS
ABOUT JAPANESE SCHOOLS:

 Nearly all junior high schools require their students

to wear a school uniform (seifuku).
 In public elementary and junior high schools school
lunch (kyuushoku) is provided on a standardized
menu, and is eaten in the classroom. That way,
pupils and teachers get to forge better relationships
while eating together.
 Students don’t skip classes in Japan, nor do they
arrive late for school
 Students in Japan have a strong sense of belonging
in school, they don’t feel like outsiders, nor do they
feel left out.
THE END