Conformity in Education

Japan’s education system is characterized by two points: closedness and uniformity. The closedness can be observed in small close circles, the classes, the same grade, schools, local board of education, that are reflecting narrow world of seken. The uniformity can be seen through the school uniform, school bag, school regulations that stipulate in details to the extent of invading individualities of students. Test scores in each subject, regular tests, grades-wise, regional tests, and national standardized tests are important to teachers and schools, as well as students. The rankings of schools are based on the test scores. The rankings are supposed to reflect higher groups of universities, and ultimately higher-paying jobs of the future. The uniformity education in Japan inculcates students with the idea that following what everyone else is doing has high value of life in Japan. The Ministry of Education provides the Course of Study for each subject at each grade in school, specifying number of vocabulary, and grammar structures at each grade in English teaching. The scholarship system in Japan is causing more harm than benefits to students, partly because of its misnomer, calling money-lending scholarship giving. School bullying is causing serious issues in education system, that needs attention for reform of work systems of teachers and the board of education.