Why is the Japanese school system thriving while the Western education system is failing?

There are some stark differences between the American education system and those across the water, but have you ever thought about what those differences truly are?

The Japanese school system, for example, is particularly fascinating, as there are a number of different reasons as to why their educational system produces some of the most successful graduates in the world.

1. No examinations until the students are ten years old

The first years of the Japanese school system allow for the child to learn and develop their knowledge properly, learn good manners and develop a strong character before they are pushed to apply themselves towards examinations. This means that rather than to judge the children from the beginning of their school career the children are allowed to grow up and develop their knowledge of the world as well as an education.

2. All students eat the same food

Students in Japanese schools learn about proper health as well as their other subjects, and this flows into their eating habits. Unless there is a certain reason why a child cannot participate, all students eat the same, well-balanced meal to ensure that they have proper nutrition. Each meal has proper portion control and is made from fresh and locally sourced produce to ensure that every child gets a good and healthy meal.

The teachers also eat with their students, and this creates a stronger bond between students and teachers so that children feel much safer when problems arise that need help and advisement.

3. All schools have uniforms

Japanese schools all have a uniform that is closely regulated and required for every student. This creates equality across the board of all students and removes any of the possible issues that can arise from students wearing their own clothes, such as mocking and bullying. This makes all students equal on a visual level.

Uniforms also reduce the unnecessary distractions that can come from planning and comparing outfits with other students and create a sense of community across the school.

4. The students contribute to the cleanliness of the school

Rather than having custodial staff and a team of janitors to clean the school and keep it up to standard, the students are in charge of their own classrooms. Children also clean the bathrooms and hallways, and this creates a sense of responsibility towards to school and other students, as everyone needs to clean up the mess that they are making for themselves.

As well as teaching them responsibility to others, students also develop a stronger character and pride in their school and education, keeping them much more focused on their schools and their studies.

5. Every student joins some kind of club or team

Every student is required to join a team or a club, allowing them to develop social skills and a rounded personality. This allows for the children to also develop a stronger sense of pride in the school, as they compete and are much more motivated to do well.

Developing their interests and skills is vital for the children to become much more likely to be successful later on in life.

So, what you think about the Japanese school system? Do you believe that western schools should adopt these principles? Share your opinion in the comments below!

References:

  1. Business Insider
  2. Mental Floss

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This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Tyrone N

    Your politically correct/safe analysis certainly has ‘some’ merit. However, it’s the omission (800 lb. gorilla in the room) that catches my attention. The Japanese school system, for all intents and purposes, consists of a homogeneous race of people with a collective and consistently measured high IQ (average or mean 105 – 110 range). The US, on the other hand, is a heterogeneous group (and nothing drives the liberal mindset more into a denial frenzy than the prospect of someone whipping out the ‘gene card’ and upsetting the kumbaya, egalitarian fantasy apple cart that Darwinian evolution variation somehow didn’t take place for geographically disparate peoples). There is a growing US minority with a collective and consistently measured low IQ – average or mean 65 – 85 range (and I think you know what/who I’m talking about). The leftist/PC academic agenda over the past several years has been the ‘dumbing down’ the US scholastic collective to accommodate the lowest common denominator. Anybody being intellectually honest, sincere, and free of ‘white guilt’ will clearly see this.

  2. Rodney Reynolds

    As a military dependent, I attended school in Germany and their educational system is far more advanced than US schools. The Japanese educational system as your article has outlined it, sounds superb. Here a dollar value is placed on obtaining a Good Education–guess that’s the nature of where we live. Keep up the good work…..Peace

  3. Dimitrios

    It is similar in China. I an English teacher there. Teachers eat with students. Students clean their classrooms, hallways and all school property including sports fields. Every morning there is a short EFT Tapping session, about 5 – 10 mins for the whole school. This also shows that they have known about Tapping long before some people in the west have claimed to discover it. Even when failing an exam the student doesn’t stay back a year, they still advance to the next grade. They only redo the exam.

  4. Thea Dunlap

    The Japanese educational systems is a great system since a lot of them produced many great minds and citizens. I hope the US can have a system as similar as this 🙂

  5. J.Picard

    Fantastic idea and method and I strongly agree that this forum should be instituted to are school system. Certainly would improve our children’s aptitudes to reading, writing and math.

  6. Alen Keegan

    The Japanese educational system is superb in every way. A curriculum that teaches and imparts moral values and life skills is certainly a must for my kids.

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