“Can you imagine attending night classes after a full day’s work?” That was the reality for some students at \u5e02\u7acb\u4e2d\u592e\u4e2d\u5b66\u6821. This public junior high school is located in Osaka. It has a unique history rooted in providing educational opportunities for all.
\u5e02\u7acb\u4e2d\u592e\u4e2d\u5b66\u6821 stands on land with a history. The school now occupies the former sites of two schools destroyed in the Pacific War. These were the Osaka City Taisho Normal Elementary School and the Osaka City Mikonjima South National School.
After World War II evening junior high schools became vital. They served children who could not attend during the day. Later adults who had not completed compulsory education also studied there. In 1973 \u5e02\u7acb\u4e2d\u592e\u4e2d\u5b66\u6821 started offering night classes. These classes were for people who missed the chance to finish junior high. Completing this level of education is usually mandatory in Japan.
A law passed in 2016 ensured equal educational opportunities. This led to the gradual establishment of new evening junior high schools. Osaka Prefecture is known for its advanced educational practices. These practices focus on liberating marginalized people. This approach called liberation education has been in place since the 1970s.
One notable figure is Kim Hyangdoja. She is a second-generation Zainichi Korean. She teaches at an evening junior high school in Higashi-Osaka City. Kim and her colleagues help marginalized people understand their place in history. They focus especially on first-generation Zainichi Korean women.
Her teaching involves a practice called “Writing my history with photos”. It is similar to Paulo Freire’s literacy education. This method helps students create personal histories. It also provides a space to express the identities of different social groups.
\u5e02\u7acb\u4e2d\u592e\u4e2d\u5b66\u6821 plays a significant role in Osaka’s educational landscape. It provides a second chance for many. It embodies the spirit of inclusivity and lifelong learning. This commitment to education makes it a special place.