[MEXT] Publication of the Vision towards the Reform and Development of Education

On  February 25, 2022, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) published its Vision towards the Reform and Development of Education, which outlines its policy for reforming education at the elementary and lower secondary education levels.

In the context of various lifestyle changes and the rapid progress of digitization triggered by the COVID 19 pandemic,  the reform policy is geared towards  the development of education at the primary and secondary levels, including specific ways of promoting 'Japanese-style school education in the Reiwa Era.'

The specifics of the policy are as follows.

  • Two basic principles:
    • Education that maximizes individual potential, leaving no one behind.
    • An environment in which teachers and staff can concentrate on their core duties safely and securely. 
  • Four pillars
    • Promotion of value-creating learning through an optimal combination of 'real' x 'digital.'
    • Guaranteeing educational opportunities for children who do not receive adequate education and support in conventional schools.
    • Strong partnerships among school, family, and community to deepen community ties and realize an inclusive society.
    • Creating an environment where teachers and staff can concentrate on their core duties safely and securely.       
  • The directions of future measures
    • Ensuring students individualized optimal learning and collaborative learning daily
    • Provision of learning opportunities for children with special educational and support needs
    • Provision of upper secondary school education that develops the abilities of all students
    • Formation of a high-quality group of teachers and staff
    • Reinforcement of school management and 'real experience' opportunities that involve the power of the local community and business
    • Enhancement of teacher training and environmental improvement from the viewpoint of increasing the effectiveness of work style reforms

As for children with disabilities, the provision of learning opportunities for children with special educational and support needs includes the following measures:

  • With online and other means, enhanced education and support for children with special needs (e.g., disabilities, non-attendance at school, unique talents, Japanese language instruction, etc.) and children in remote areas.
  • Ensuring a place of learning for children who cannot receive sufficient education and support in regular schools alone, for example, promoting the establishment of schools for students who cannot attend regular school.
  • Flexible teaching in the school, such as individualized instruction in a separate room for children who have difficulties learning in a regular class, known as 'take-out instruction' according to individual needs (e.g., disabilities, unique talents, learning delays, Japanese language instruction, etc.).

In addition, the provision of upper secondary school education that develops the abilities of all students includes:

  • Support for diverse students in upper secondary schools--including those with developmental disabilities and those who have not been in attendance at school--and quality assurance at upper secondary correspondence schools.

For more information, please visit the website below (Japanese only):　https://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/houdou/2020/1413767_00007.htm

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