Japanese pupils and students getting Special education than their counterparts in Africa

By Denise Kodhe

Besides technology and infrastructural development, Japanese people are also recognized worldwide for their high level discipline and respect.

From Children to adults, discipline and respect are qualities that are not only associated with the Japanese as a community but are also part and parcel of their growth and development.

Perhaps the success of Japan as a nation could be as a result of character development based on integrity and respect.

.Japanese people are workaholic and in most cases sacrifices leisure to hard work.

Looking at the infrastructural and economic development in most parts of Japan sometimes it becomes difficult to tell whether such activities have actually been done by people or some unknown forces like robots etc.

In places like Shiyodome and other areas in Tokyo underground cities are emerging and mushrooming all over.

Cities and railway lines are being constructed under and above each other.

With the high level of technological advancement in Japan and other developed and developing countries like America, Korea, Singapore etc many people are now beginning to wonder whether pupils and students in those developed and developing countries are getting special or similar education like those from other continents especially Africa.

Many observers feel that education system is more or else the same all over the world but Japanese students go a notch hire to become creative and innovative in their studies.

Most leading electronic and vehicle manufacturing companies are in Japan.

The same companies have expanded their operations through franchising in other developed countries like China, America and other European countries except Africa.

In many schools in Africa, Kenya included primary education curriculum starts at baby class, kindergarten and then nursery before moving to lower primary education in standard one but according to Shinji Monjugawa, Japanese kids spend most of their early days in school only playing whether in kindergarten or nursery levels. Kids are given enough time and opportunities to play with toys and nothing else.

Public primary and secondary schools in Japan are competitive and well equipped sometimes better than private schools.

All kids including those with disabilities are given close, equal and special attention to ensure maximum concentration.

According to Shinji, kids must be taught how to grow to become responsible citizens not only on how to pass exams.

As a teacher they concentrate more on molding a character out of a child rather than just passing exams.

Most teachers at lower levels in primary and lower secondary schools concentrate more on character and behavior development of a child. Kids are taught how to respect elders, how to dress, eat etc.

Shinji Monjugawa 32 is a teacher at Narusedai primary school in Tokyo. The school was established thirty nine years ago and is located in North-west part of Tokyo.

While many public schools in Africa lack basic and essential learning materials including desks, the government of Japan provides all textbooks while parents provide notebooks.

The future of a society or nation is determined and more so depends on the level of education and understanding among its people. Education is the only investment a parent or government should provide for their people.

Without proper and meaningful education there is no future. Japan like other developed countries are   advancing because of high investment in the education among its people. In today’s competitive world success and performance cannot be associated with lazy, uneducated and half-baked leader

 The world has become a global village because of knowledge and technology. Such technological advances take time and commitment to nurture. Japanese kids whether at home in school are taught basic behaviors and characters that are necessary for their development into adulthood.

I remember an occasion in a subway train from Yokohama to Okamura in Japan when a mother stopped her too little children from sitting on seats reserved for the aged and the disabled.

Even though the seats were empty, the mother did not allow her children to take the seats no matter how small they were. She was sending a message to her little children that rules are set out to be followed and that the less privileged in the society also have a right to comfort.

Again that was a big lesson to the children that discipline and respect is the key to success and growth. It was really impressive that the three children understood and obeyed without creating any drama.

In public primary schools pupils are not only aught about how to write and read but also how to jump, climb poles and how to eat. The late Professor Wangari  Mathais’s Montainai spirit (not wasting food) is the driving force among the Japanese children in terms of a adopting a proper eating habit.

In Africa it is shameful that a lot of food goes to waste than to the stomach. While many people are starving to death in Africa because of poverty and famine most people waste food leaving them to rot in gardens.

According to Shinji Monjugawa, in Japan teachers aim at molding character rather than just passing exams unlike public schools in many African countries Kenya included.

During lessons there are at least two teachers in a class doing different things at the same time for the same purpose.

While the main teacher is in the front explaining the lessons and engaging the pupils the assisting teachers  is at the back ensuring that all the pupils are concentrating and listening to what is being  explained inform.

The pupils are sand-witched between two teachers. The purpose is to ensure equal opportunity to all and maximum concentration and commitment by all the pupils to the lesson being taught.

The early education system among children starting with parents all the way to teachers clearly explains why Japan as a nation has developed and advances to its current level. Kids are taught to be responsible and committed to every issue at a very early age and they continue to advance such traits as they grow up. Japanese people are not only disciplined but also very humbled when dealing with each other.

Even though there is a strong sense of stress among the Japanese people because of their systematic way of life, the moral standing among the Japanese society is very high, outstanding and admirable compared to other societies in the world.  Bowing when meeting a different person, leaving a venue, room etc. and more so saying thank you (Doomo Arigatoo gozai masu) is the greeting in Japan.

The writer is the Executive Director, Institute for Democracy & Leadership in Africa- IDEA,

Tokyo, Japan.