Mayor Toru Hashimoto of Osaka, Japan’s third largest city, recently imposed plans to reintroduce Saturday classes at the primary school level in order to raise educational standards and reduce juvenile delinquency. Five elementary schools were selected as part of a trial run initiative to determine whether the classes can be implemented on a city-wide scale by the next school year in April.
“Osaka’s children are performing poorly, and delinquency is high,” Hashimoto told reporters. “I would like our teachers to do the best. To support them, we plan to spare no expense.”
It’s been almost 11 years since an Osaka school has held a Saturday class. Some critics argue that the abolition is to blame for the poor educational and moral standards of Japanese schools today. Although, the issue of juvenile crime in Osaka is considered low by other international standards. In fact, Osaka’s Nishinari-ku district has less crime on average than some of America’s safest cities.
The policy plans are likely a scourging reaction to the amounting youth violence reports taking over Osaka newscasts. Six teenagers were arrested on assault and attempted robbery charges last month. Allegations remain high regarding their connection to the murder of an elderly homeless man.
These days, school teachers also get the third degree. According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, the Osaka prefectural government retracted some high school teachers’ pay for leaving school grounds during a class session to smoke. Reports indicate that JPY ¥500,000 yen (USD $6,270) was docked from at least one teachers’ wages.
Hashimoto’s is known to be a long-admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who promoted higher education standards. Some view his decision as being inspired by her reforms.
If only the students were nearly as enthused.
Creative Commons Love: Janne Moren on Flickr.com
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