Moving Mountains
Japanese Education Reform
A part of the series Acta Jutlandica (73:1; Humanities Series, 71) , and the subject areas Pedagogics and Asian studies
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About the book
The Japanese educational system is admired and envied for its success in providing a well-educated population and contributing to the spectacular post-War industrialisation and modernisation of the nation. It is also criticised for inhibiting creativity and spontaneity, seen as crucial talents in the forthcoming information age.
Moving Mountains is based on two propositions: that the educational system is undergoing a number of changes, despite charges to the contrary, and that there is a conflict between the rhetoric of the National Council on Education Reform undertaken by Prime Minister Nakasone (1982-1987) and its emphasis on issues like internationalism vis-à-vis the national and economic needs as defined by the politicians.
Table of contents
Preface
List of Charts
Abbreviations
1. Introduction and Theoretical Deliberations:
1.1 Analysis of the Rhetoric
1.2 Educational Ideology in Japan
1.3 Structure
2. The Japanese Education System 1868-1984:
2.1 The History of the Educational system
2.2 The Present System
3. The Debate on Reform:
3.1 NCER and its Function in the Educational Debate
3.2 Teachers' Organisations - History and Position
3.3 Other Opposition Groups
3.4 Industry
3.5 Conclusions
4. Attitudes to NCER's Proposals:
4.1 The New Curriculum Guidelines
4.2 Individuality
4.3 Life Long Learning
4.4 Internationalisation
4.5 The Information Society
Conclusions
Appendices:
Appendix 1 Interview Structure and Analysis
Appendix 2 Interview Guide in English
Appendix 3 List of Specialist Members of NCER
Bibliography
Index
