Schools where boys are taught to sew, and the teacher is a good friend: How Japanese education differs from Russian

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

In our country, the academic year has just begun, but in Japan it begins in April. In this country, in general, there is a very original education system, which seems unusual to us Europeans: at the age of 13 you go to first grade, and you study when your dad and mom have a weekend. And in labor lessons, girls hammer in nails, and boys sew.

Three types of schools

There are three types of schools in Japan: private, municipal (free) and university schools (universities in the country are mostly non-state). As a rule, each school has its own kindergarten, so that children come to the first grade already knowing each other.

The beginning of the year is in April

The Japanese jokingly say: "Our children plow in school so that they do nothing at the university." Schoolchildren in this country really work hard. The length of the school week varies throughout the year and depends on the circumstances, so that each time the students are assigned a weekend on a different day. For example, children can go to school seven days a week, then get one day off, and then go back to school. And the older the class, the less days off. It often happens that adults have an official day off at work, and children are assigned a school day. And this despite the fact that the guys devote all their free time to additional activities.

The school year in Japan begins in early April. The first holidays begin at the beginning of May (the so-called "Golden Week"). From the last days of July to the end of August there is another vacation associated with the heat and stuffy season. On December 24, the country celebrates the birthday of the "old" Emperor (next year he will be replaced by his son), on December 25, students are announced six-month grades and are released for the winter holidays, which last until January 4-5. The last vacation period lasts from late March to early April.

Second time - to first grade

School education is divided into three stages: "beginner", high school and senior. From the first to the sixth grade inclusive, the child goes to primary school. Then he takes exams-tests and goes to high school, but the numbering of classes in it starts again from the first. In other words, you are a first grader again.

After secondary education in Japan, like ours, you can already go to work. But this is the so-called "temporary work" - a seller in a store, a builder (if you complete special courses) or military service, after which you can enter a military university for free. However, the overwhelming majority of children go to high school to enter higher educational institutions: this will allow them to make a career in the system of "life employment" in the future - until the very pension you will work in the same organization, receive a decent salary and various benefits Nobody can fire you from there.

Each school has its own style

Each Japanese school has its own form. A certain style and with the emblem of the educational institution. Her parents buy with their own money. In many schools, the rules for wearing a uniform are stipulated: for example, "you can take off your jacket and go to school in a shirt only from July 1". And in provincial schools, the set of rules is even more conservative - for example, "a boy is allowed to enter a store in a school uniform, but a girl is not." Therefore, if a student wants to buy a bottle of water after school, she needs to ask a classmate about it.

By the way, in the early spring of this year, a big scandal took place in one of the university schools. The administration entrusted the sewing of the uniform to the company of the world famous French fashion designer. The clothes were a copy of their standard uniform, but did not cost $ 300-400, as usual, but $ 2,000. Thus, richer parents could order their children a uniform from the legendary couturier, and there were many who wanted to show off. This event caused a storm of indignation both among the public and among journalists - they say, thus, the Japanese principles of equality of all segments of the population are violated. I had to abandon this idea.

Satchel from grandmother

Another echo of old-regime Japan is the law that all students in this country must wear schoolbags until they go to high school. Given the acceleration, a 12-13-year-old big guy with a knapsack on his back looks quite funny. It's good at least that the color of the knapsack and the pattern can be chosen at your discretion, but some 10 years ago the rules were even stricter: a black knapsack was for boys, and a pink one for girls.

One touching detail is associated with this rule: according to tradition, the first grader must buy the first knapsack not by the parents, but by the grandfather or grandmother. By the way, the cheapest satchel costs $ 100-150.

Teacher friend

In the lesson, schoolchildren are not sitting in twos, like we do, but each at his own small desk, the slope of which can be adjusted. In elementary school, they write only with a simple pencil; a pen cannot be used. The old stereotype, according to which a sensei teacher is a strict unapproachable god, whom everyone fears, is becoming a thing of the past. Most of the senseis in modern Japanese schools are young professionals. This is, first of all, a friend to whom children refer by name in the format: "Tell me how this problem is being solved!" "No problem! Let's go - I'll explain. " A teacher can easily help out a child: “Toshiro, have you eaten? Take a thousand yen and go to the buffet. You don't have to return the money”.

Teachers easily go on picnics and hikes with the children, and subordination in the form of bows and official addresses is observed only at school events and holidays. This teacher-friend system is supported in Japanese school dramas, cartoons, and comics. And parents admit: it is more effective than drill.

Lessons - like ours, but not quite

In Japanese schools, children learn practically the same subjects as we do. Only drawing is taught almost at the level of an art university, in music lessons they teach to play instruments (the most popular are melodic, synthesizer, drums, violin), and swimming is taught by athletes. After all, every school has a swimming pool. By the way, training may even include a whole class flight in a helicopter over their hometown and the task is to draw up a plan for their area.

By the way, in the labor class, boys are taught to cook and sew, and girls are taught to hammer in nails. After all, these skills will be useful to you after graduation, if you live alone! In addition, the guys master gardening - they prune shrubs, plant flowers, etc.

The grading system in Japan is original: in some subjects a 10-point scale is practiced, and in others - a 100-point scale. Semi-annual results may look like this: "Math - 5, Japanese - 98, Chemistry - 4, English - 100". And they are tested every week.

They also have a parenting committee

Japanese schools also have their own parent committee and it also collects money from moms and dads. True, not for new curtains or a gift for the teacher, but for excursions and trips to the theater. At the same time, strict reporting is carried out, and if at the end of the year money remains in the "cash desk", it is returned to the parents. It is strictly forbidden to give gifts to the teacher for the holiday - even a postcard or a small chocolate bar is taboo, and even flowers - even more so. And if such a blatant fact is noticed, the teacher will be fired, and he will no longer be hired in any school. Interestingly, on January 1, each student, according to tradition, receives a New Year's card by mail from his teacher. But it is strictly forbidden to answer him with the same postcard.

The Japanese are amazing people. For example, they have the art sleep everywhere and under any circumstances.