Japanese higher education system. Education in Japan

In Japan, the school year begins on April 1 and consists of three trimesters, separated by holidays - short in spring and winter and longer in summer. The vacation schedule is the same for schools, kindergartens and universities. Schoolchildren in Japan attend classes from Monday to Friday or Saturday, depending on the school. A distinctive feature of the Japanese educational system is that throughout education in kindergarten and school, the composition of groups and classes is constantly changing. This gives students who, for whatever reason, did not have good relationships in the team, the opportunity to make friends with other students next year. It is also believed that it develops communication skills. Teachers in kindergarten and school also change every year, this reduces the negative effect if the teacher dislikes the child.

Preschool education system in Japan

Kindergartens in Japan are not a compulsory step in the education system, so they are all private. They are accepted from the age of 4 (if parents are particularly busy, from the age of three). There are also nurseries from 1 year of age, but a child can be sent to them only if there is a very good reason, upon mandatory application and provision of documents to the commission, which may refuse. The thing is that this contradicts the principle of home education.

School system in Japan

Most schools in the Japanese education system are municipal and financed from the budget, but approximately 5% are private schools where tuition is paid. Students in Japanese schools study for 12 years, which is slightly longer compared to other countries. Classes in schools are usually large, about 40 people. Each class has its own room, and teachers come there to teach a lesson, which lasts 45 or 50 minutes. Education in grades 10–12 is not compulsory, but 94% of students study for 12 years.

Primary school – from 6 to 12 years old (grades 1–6);

Secondary school – from 13 to 15 years old (7th–9th grades);

High school – from 16 to 18 years old (grades 10–12).

After graduation, 75.9% of graduates continue to study at universities, schools, colleges, etc.

Higher education system in Japan

With higher education in Japan, the situation is almost the opposite - 80% of universities are non-state. There are 726 universities in Japan, with 2.8 million students (for comparison, there are 7.5 million students in Russia). Education at universities is carried out according to two-level scheme: bachelor's degree (4 years) and master's degree (another 2 years). Two universities are considered the best in Japan: Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo, and Keio and Waseda universities also occupy high positions in world rankings.

2012 Economics No. 2(18)

I.A. Petinenko, A.A. Weaver

JAPANESE EDUCATION SYSTEM: WHAT LEADS THIS COUNTRY

TO SUCCESS?

All levels of the Japanese educational system are examined, from preschool to postgraduate education. The peculiarities of raising children in educational institutions are revealed, the stages of formation of characteristic Japanese traits are shown - hard work, diligence, the ability to work in a team, understanding one’s place, the desire to work for the company and not for oneself, adherence to a strict hierarchy, etc.

Key words: education, education system, Japan, education in Japan.

One of the driving forces of progress in any field human activity is to synthesize the accumulated world experience. In the context of reform of the education system in our country, the study and analysis of the development of education abroad is becoming increasingly important.

Based on this, the purpose of this scientific work was to study the features modern system education in Japan.

The structure of education in Japan includes (Fig. 1): an optional level - kindergarten; school education, which is divided into junior, middle and senior schools - the peculiarity is that after secondary school you can go to various special schools and colleges of technology; and higher education, divided into universities and the non-university sector.

Let's take a closer look at each level of education.

Preschool education. In Japan, kindergarten is not a compulsory educational level. Children come here at the request of their parents - usually from the age of four.

All kindergartens in Japan are private. Among them, a special place is occupied by the so-called elite gardens, which are under the tutelage of prestigious universities. If a child ends up in such a kindergarten, his future can be considered secure: upon reaching the appropriate age, he goes to a university school, and from there he enters the university without exams. In Japan, there is quite intense competition in the field of education: a university diploma is a guarantee of obtaining a prestigious, well-paid job - in the ministry or in some other well-known company. And this, in turn, is a guarantee career growth and material well-being. Therefore, it is very difficult to get into a kindergarten at a prestigious university. Parents pay a lot of money for their child’s admission, and the child himself must undergo quite complex testing in order to be accepted.

Rice. 1. Education system in Japan

Japanese educators, teaching children to interact, unite them into small groups (han), which is the most important distinctive feature organization of preschool education. These groups are formed not according to abilities, but according to what can make their activities effective. Each year the groups are created anew. The constant change of children's composition is associated with an attempt to provide children with the widest possible opportunities for socialization. If a child does not have good relationships in a particular group, it is possible that he will make friends among other children.

Raising young children in Japan immediately plunges them into intense competition for a better future; it is not always conducive to development creativity person, but skillfully forms in the child the concept of human society, educates physically and mentally healthy person, able to work in a team, strictly following instructions and without disturbing others.

School education. School in Japan is divided into three levels:

1. Primary school (grades 1-6) - shogakko.

2. Middle school (grades 7-9) - chugakko.

3. High school (grades 10-12) - Kotogakko.

Primary and secondary schools in Japan are compulsory for everyone and free of charge. High school is not compulsory, but about 95% percent continue their studies after high school. 48% of high school graduates go on to college (2 years) or university (4 years).

Tuition in high school and university is always paid, but in public institutions it is cheaper. There are also fee-paying private primary and secondary schools. In all paid institutions you can study for free or get a big discount if you win a scholarship competition.

IN primary school children study Japanese, mathematics, natural science (physics, chemistry, biology), social studies (ethics, history, etiquette), music, art, physical education and housekeeping.

In secondary school, English and several special elective subjects are added to the list of subjects. The composition of these subjects depends on the school.

The high school curriculum is slightly more varied than the middle and primary school curriculum, but students are given more opportunities to specialize in a particular area of ​​study.

In addition to the school itself, most students attend paid juku preparatory courses, which help them better prepare for passing school exams. Juku classes usually take place in the evening, two to three times a week. “Juku” translated means “school of excellence,” but it would be more correct to say “tutoring school.” There, specially hired teachers once again explain to the children what has already been said at school during the day, adding new knowledge to this knowledge, which they can show off in the exam. And if previously studying juku was required for admission only to the best universities and schools, now it is also necessary for enrollment in the rank and file.

One sixth of junior schoolchildren, half of middle schoolers and almost all seniors attend Juku. The annual income of all juku amounts to an incredible trillion yen, comparable to the country's military expenditures. There is no such system in the world.

the main problem Japanese schools are grueling exams, each of which takes several hours of hard work and much more time in the process of preparing for it. From time to time they become the cause of schoolchildren's suicides.

Middle and high school students take exams at the end of each term and midway through the first and second terms. Examinations usually take the form of written tests. Exams are graded using a percentage system. The highest score is 100 points.

The transition from middle school to high school is based on exam results. First, based on his school performance, the student receives a list of high schools to which he has a chance of admission. He then takes a transition exam, and based on his results and previous performance, the question of which high school the student will enter is decided.

Good students end up in prestigious high schools, bad students end up in run-down schools for those who do not intend to graduate. Such schools focus on home economics, Agriculture etc. Career

their graduates have no prospects. Those who do not want to enroll in high school can enroll in five-year "technological colleges" - vocational schools. However, entering them is not so easy - there is a lot of competition for the best of them, since skilled workers are highly valued in Japan. Some technical colleges are owned by large firms, and their graduates are immediately employed.

Higher education. System higher education includes the following main four types educational institutions:

1) universities full cycle(4 years) and accelerated cycle (2 years);

2) professional colleges;

3) schools special training(technological institutes);

4) schools of postgraduate studies (master's programs).

Perhaps the main distinguishing feature of the Japanese higher education system is its hierarchy. Rigid hierarchies (often “non-overlapping”, i.e. existing autonomously and independently of each other) permeate both the university and non-university sectors.

The non-university sector is, in fact, “second-class universities”, performing social rather than educational functions. Legally, two- or three-year junior colleges are considered full-fledged universities, but the actual training and prestige of their diplomas do not correspond to the level of higher education.

Technological colleges train secondary technical personnel on the basis of a compulsory nine-year school and in many respects correspond to our technical schools.

In essence, the only full-fledged universities whose graduates do not experience discrimination and are listed on the labor market are full-cycle universities. The hierarchy of these universities includes the following levels:

1. Several of the most prestigious private universities, such as Nihon, Waseda, Keio or Tokai University. Their graduates are top class Japanese management and politics. It is almost impossible to get into such a university without appropriate preparation and recommendations, but their diploma provides a 100% guarantee of successful employment, regardless of grades and often specialty.

2. Public universities that occupy first places in the rankings (Tokyo Institute of Technology or Yokohama State University). Tuition fees here are significantly lower, but the competition is extremely high.

3. Other state universities, most often established by prefectures and authorities local government. Low tuition and moderate competition.

4. Small private universities. With high tuition fees, there is low competition, an unprestigious diploma and unguaranteed employment.

Master's and postgraduate programs in Japan are organized into postgraduate schools located at universities and with relative autonomy. It is curious that the main scientific resources in Japan

were involved specifically in teaching in state master's programs, while the level of teaching in bachelor's programs remained relatively low.

The Japanese bachelor's degree is focused mainly on the "in-line" production of qualified specialists necessary to maintain the system, while the master's degree is focused on the production of proactive analysts capable of designing its development. The technological leap in Japan became possible largely due to this division of tasks and the successful development of postgraduate schools.

To sum up, we can say with confidence that, despite the fact that the Japanese education system is relatively young, it is one of the best not only in the Pacific region, but throughout the world. The Japanese, having synthesized all the latest achievements pedagogical science with the peculiarities of building Japanese society, were able to provide their country with not only impressive economic growth rates, but also sufficient high level life. They realized earlier than others that efficient system education in a country with a high level of automation is not only mandatory, it is vital. Therefore, we can confidently say that the lion’s share of the economic and social development of this country is a consequence of a well-structured education system.

Literature

1. Mukhanov V. Education in Japan [Electronic resource] // Education: everything for applicants. 2008. URL: http://www.edunews.ru/ (access date: 03/20/2011).

2. Bordovskaya N., Rean A. Pedagogy. Ch. IV: Education in the world: history and modernity [Electronic resource] // Digital library Goomer. 2008. URL: http://www. gu-mer.info/ (access date: 02/17/2011).

3. Salimova K.I. General education school in Japan in the 21st century. // Pedagogy. 2006. No. 8. P. 88-96.

4. Bondarenko A. Japanese school through the eyes of a Russian // Primary school. 2005. No. 5. P. 120126.

5. Plaksiy S.I. Qualitative parameters of higher education [Electronic resource] // Knowledge. Understanding. Skill. Information humanitarian portal. 2004. URL: http://www. zpu-journal.ru/ (date of access: 02.21.2011).

6. Analysis of the assessment system of higher education in the world [Electronic resource] // Information and reference portal for supporting quality management systems. 2006. URL: http:// www. quality.edu.ru/ (date of access: 02/10/2011).

7. Alferov Yu.S. Monitoring the development of education in the world // Pedagogy. 2008. No. 7. P. 73-84.

8. Dzhurinsky A.N. Development of education in modern world. M.: Publishing center "Academy", 2006. 176 p.

Higher education in Japan is a kind of cult that is supported by the state, society and family. Beginning with early years, the Japanese are constantly studying, intensively studying both compulsory and optional educational program. This is necessary in order to first enroll in a prestigious school, and after that - in a prestigious university, and upon graduation, become an employee of a well-known and respected company. The chaebol principle in Japan determines only one successful employment opportunity. And universities in Japan provide the best opportunities for graduates to make the most of this chance.

Universities in Japan have very high educational standards. This is evidenced by international ratings that evaluate Japanese system higher education is one of the best in Asia. Thus, 16 universities in the country are among the top 50 best universities in Asia, 13 of which occupy high positions in world rankings - this is a very high figure compared to other countries.

Today there are more than 600 universities in Japan, 457 of them are private. There are more than 2.5 million students in the country, most of whom study at small private universities. Exists a large number of very small universities with no more than 300 students in two faculties. A student can enroll in state universities only if he or she has completed secondary education. Admission of applicants is carried out in two stages: the first test is carried out by the National Center for Student Admission to Universities, and the test itself is called the “General Test of Achievement at the First Stage”. If the student successfully passed this test, he can proceed to take the entrance exam at the university itself. Please note that if you have maximum marks on the first test, an applicant can apply for a place in the most prestigious universities in the country.

A characteristic feature of universities in the country is a clear gradation into special and general disciplines and sciences. During the first two years of study, students take a course in general sciences, which include history, social studies, foreign languages, philosophy and literature, and also take special courses dedicated to their chosen specialty. The first two years are allotted for the student to compose general idea about my future profession, and teachers could draw conclusions regarding the potential of each student. The next two years are devoted to the study of specialized disciplines in the industry chosen by the student. The duration of study is the same everywhere, regardless of profession and direction - general higher education is obtained in four years.

Dentists, veterinarians and doctors study two more years than other students. Students ultimately receive a gaku-shi degree, which is equivalent to a European bachelor's degree. Note that students have the right to enroll in universities for 8 years, so there are practically no deductions.

Most universities in the country educational process presented in the form of a semester system. Over the course of two semesters, the student must complete a certain number of credits in the subject. The number of credit units is determined by the total number of hours allocated for studying the discipline. After this, all indicators are summed up and by the end of the fourth year, the student must score from 124 to 150 units to receive a bachelor's degree. In Japan, higher education is considered compulsory and it is, as it were, merged with the system vocational education. The higher education system includes the following main four types of educational institutions:

full cycle universities (4 years);

accelerated cycle universities (2 years);

vocational colleges;

technical institutes.

At full-cycle universities, education lasts 4 years, but at medical and veterinary faculties it lasts 6 years. After completing the basic course of study at the university, the graduate can enter a master's or doctoral program.

Japanese undergraduate education is focused mainly on the “in-line” production of qualified representatives of the working class. This is due to the unprecedented scale of “proletarianization” mental labor"in Japan, where to work in a factory (due to increased automation of production) a high level of education began to be required, and white-collar work was no longer the prerogative of the intellectual elite class. A Japanese manager with a bachelor's degree does not need highly specialized knowledge, his training is "standardized", it does not represent a "unique product" of Japanese higher education. Therefore, the gap in the required level of education between manager and worker began to rapidly decrease. And the smaller the gap in education between "white" and "blue collar" workers, the greater distance between bachelor's and master's degrees.

The task of the bachelor's degree is to produce specialists necessary to maintain the system, the task of the master's degree is to produce proactive analysts capable of designing its development. The technological leap in Japan became possible largely due to this division of tasks and the successful development of postgraduate schools. However, this situation remained effective only as long as Japanese corporations maintained a system of lifetime employment, paternalism towards employees and “promotion by seniority.” Business was really not interested in improving the level of undergraduate teaching, since each corporation had its own training centers, where university graduates completed their studies and joined corporate culture. (This investment in workers is justified if they remain associated with the corporation throughout their lives.) But now this system has been shaken; corporations are dissatisfied with the low level of undergraduate education, since “additional training” of graduates “on site” requires too much money and time. The change in priorities lies one of the reasons for the abolition of old and the emergence of new hierarchies that the education reform brought (for example, a sharp drop in the prestige of most private universities and the growth of the prestige of universities with developed schools of postgraduate education).

The duration of master's studies in Japanese universities is 2 years. Doctoral studies require 5 years of study. Japanese universities have a unique in the world institution of “student-researcher” - kenkyusei. This means that a student who has set the goal of obtaining a scientific degree has the opportunity to study research work in a specific field of knowledge chosen by him for from 6 months to 1 academic year. There are 3 main types of research students:

a student who continues his studies at another university under an agreement with the university where he took the main course;

a foreign student who can be admitted to the university to prepare for the exam entrance exams for a period of up to 2 years, but without subsequent extension of your stay in Japan; in this case, the student can return home and after some time again request an entry visa to enter the university.

Fast-track universities. At accelerated cycle universities, the duration of study is 2 years, but for those wishing to become a nurse, the duration of study is 3 years. About 60% of fast-track university students are girls. They specialize in such areas as economics, literature, foreign languages, pedagogy, and social protection. IN last years Social sciences are especially popular in Japan. Vocational colleges. This type of higher education in Japan is aimed at those who wish to receive a highly technical education. The duration of training in this case is no more than 3 years. Technical institutes. The duration of study at such institutes is 5 years and they provide extensive technical training to their students. Graduates of such institutes get jobs at companies and research centers related to the development of new advanced technology and know-how. Technical institutes also train merchant marine specialists.

In recent years, the Ministry of Higher Education of Japan has begun to focus on Mombusho Special attention short-term forms of receiving special education for foreign students. The stipulated periods of stay in the country can range from 1 semester to 1 year. About 20 private universities in Japan currently provide such education. However, their number is growing rapidly, including due to the connection of state universities. At the same time, the state and private foundations provide scholarships and other types of financial assistance under the conditions provided for full-cycle students.

Short-term education options in Japan are focused on areas of knowledge such as the Japanese language, Japanese culture, economics, and social studies. Since the training program in these areas provides for a limited time period (up to 1 year), it is conducted on English language in chains of obtaining maximum knowledge in minimum time. If they have a good knowledge of the Japanese language, “short-term” students can attend lectures given to Japanese students of a given university. The guarantor for inviting short-term students is a university that has an agreement on admitting foreign students. However, in some cases, university teachers as private individuals can act as guarantors. A short-term student traveling to Japan for an internship may not interrupt his studies at Russian universities.

To obtain a master's degree, a student must complete a two-year education, submit a master's thesis and receive a positive grade for it, and also pass an exam in their specialty. The duration of postgraduate study is three years, but after two years of master's study. A graduate student is considered to have completed graduate school if he submits a doctoral dissertation with a positive grade and passes the exam in his specialty well.

Education in Japan is one public sphere, to which both the state and society itself pay maximum attention. Largely because of its own, this Asian country was able not only in the most as soon as possible to overcome the consequences of defeat in World War II, but also to achieve leading positions in many knowledge-intensive industries.

In its structure, Japanese education is in many ways similar to the educational models of Russia and developed countries of Europe and America. The first stage is primary school, where children are educated from six to twelve years of age. Here young Japanese learn grammar, writing, arithmetic, and begin to master the hieroglyphic alphabet. Classes are held not only in the form of traditional lessons, but also in excursions and simulations. After finishing sixth grade, students take final exams.

The next stage is junior high school. It includes three years of study, and along with compulsory subjects, there are also elective classes where students can get acquainted with the cultural achievements of mankind, as well as gain practical skills in conducting household and simple work skills. This level is the last compulsory; further education in Japan is carried out on a voluntary basis.

The vast majority of schoolchildren who have completed 9th grade continue their education in secondary school of the second stage. It is also designed for three years, but here it is already assumed that when entering a second-level school, the Japanese must make a choice in favor of a general education or specialized department. The latter is typical mainly for rural areas and provinces where they are interested in specialists in agriculture, marine fishing, and home economics. Most students from large cities choose general education departments so that later they have the opportunity to enter a university.

The higher education system in Japan is the most important integral part the entire vocational education system and includes the following types of institutions:

1. Full-cycle universities, the duration of study is 4 years.
2. Universities with an accelerated program, studies in which do not exceed two years.
3. Vocational colleges that train mid-level specialists.
4. Technical institutes that produce engineers and designers.

Higher education in Japan is under the constant control of the country's government, which not only allocates significant funds for its development, but also constantly improves learning programs and certain disciplines.

The higher education system in Japan includes such world-famous universities as universities in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Kyoto, and Sapporo. They not only provide an excellent education, but are also actively involved in employing their graduates.

Japanese higher education is changing along with changes in society, industry and other areas of life. Thus, in recent decades, short-term courses have become very popular, especially in areas such as economics, social studies, Japanese culture and language. These short-term programs are popular not only among foreigners, but also among the Japanese themselves, who are not shy about the opportunity to acquire or retrain for a new specialty.

Education in Japan is largely focused on ensuring that the student, be it a school student, a student or a graduate student, strives to acquire certain knowledge. Evidence of this is that the government strongly encourages the activities of so-called “student scientists” who, already in their first year of university, set themselves the goal of discovering something new in a particular area.

Children's education in Japan begins in preschool institutions. Kindergartens were included in the education system after the Second World War. Before this, only wealthy families could send their children to preschool; kindergarten was not a compulsory level of education.

Japanese children begin to be sent to kindergarten at the age of three. In it, the child learns to communicate with peers, to be independent, and develops abilities and skills in music, modeling, drawing, mathematics and language.

Kindergarten plays an important role in a child’s life and prepares for adult life. Exactly at preschool institution the basic principles of typical behavior are laid down: respect for the opinions of others, perseverance in one’s work, perseverance.

School

School in Japan is divided into three levels: elementary, middle and high school. Academic year begins in the spring and is divided into several semesters. The first semester begins at the beginning of April and continues until the end of July. Then they go summer holidays. The second semester begins on the first of September and lasts until the last week of December. The last semester starts after the New Year holidays. There are no exact dates for the start and end of holidays and semesters, because in each school classes can begin with a difference of several days.

Children are educated from 6 to 12 years of age. The list of disciplines studied at different schools varies slightly. However, subjects such as Japanese, history, mathematics, natural history, physical education, and art lessons are taught in all primary schools.

In secondary school, children study from 12 to 15 years of age. In addition to the subjects that children studied in primary school, it adds foreign language. Schoolchildren also begin to study a number of other elective disciplines.

From secondary school, children begin to take exams after each semester in all subjects studied. Japanese schoolchildren spend a lot of time in classes, free time they attend courses and clubs. The Japanese spend so much time and effort on learning because a good education provides stable and well-paid work in the future.

High school in Japan is preparation for entering university. Children start their education at 18 years old. In addition to general education subjects, high school students begin to study subjects such as medicine, agriculture, economics and others. At the end of school, Japanese graduates take something like the Unified State Exam.

Higher education

After school, graduates can go to either university or college. At the same time, the chance to enter prestigious university depends on the mental abilities of the student, as well as on the financial condition of the family.

In most universities in Japan, students study for four years first, then enter a master's program. The duration of study in Japanese colleges ranges from two to five years. It is believed that studying at a university is easier than at school. The student is free to choose subjects to study, no difficult ones scientific works does not write.