The Japanese elementary education is completely mandatory, just like in Brazil. Children must enter schools if they turn 6 years old by or before April 1st. The school year starts in April and ends in March.
For the Japanese, it is mandatory to attend primary school, which lasts 6 years, and another three years in secondary school. There are also special schools available for children with physical and mental disabilities. There are also schools specifically for foreigners.
Elementary education has free public schools for Japanese and foreigners with small auxiliary fees. Elementary education consists of Shougakkou and Chuugakkou. High school or upper secondary education (ages 15 to 17) is not mandatory, but 94% of students attend. Schools are paid, including public ones.
Subjects/School Disciplines
Shougakkou – Sciences, Drawing and Carpentry, Moral Education, General Studies, Mathematics, Music, Home Economics, Physical Education, Daily Life, Social Studies, and other extracurricular activities.
Chuugakkou – Sciences, Artistic Education, Physical Education and Health, Moral Education, General Studies, Social Studies, Foreign Language, Carpentry, Mathematics, Music, Home Economics, Japanese Language, and other extracurricular activities.
About Enrollment
Enrollment takes place during the month of March/April.
To enroll, parents or guardians must go to the Municipal Education Department and then make a request for the enrollment of the child(ren), both in shougakkou and chuugakkou.
First, it is necessary to choose the school that the child will attend, of course, sending the process to the Education Department.
After this, parents or guardians must go to the school and then enroll, of course, the student can only attend the school in the school year that corresponds to their age.
Then, it is necessary for parents/guardians to accompany their children to talk with the teachers about their school life.
It is possible to find in schools a kind of organization called PTA, which is made up of parents and teachers. In this organization, various public utility and improvement activities are organized, such as safety, which includes guidance on the route from home to school and vice versa. With collaboration from both parties and in an active manner.
On the homepage of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, there is a guide with information about school enrollment.
Other related articles of ours about Japanese schools:
Leave a Reply