“Large hill” or “large slope” is what Osaka means. Now consider the children learning at Higashi Osaka Municipal Hiraoka Higashi Elementary School. This public elementary school stands in Higashi Hiraoka. It is located in Higashi Osaka City.
Higashi Osaka Municipal Hiraoka Higashi Elementary School opened in April 1972. It started with students from first to fourth grade. Second to fourth graders transferred from other schools. They came from Higashi Osaka Municipal Naka Elementary School. They also came from Higashi Osaka Municipal Kita Elementary School.
Later in September 1973 students transferred from another school. They came from Higashi Osaka Municipal Sumiredani Elementary School. Before this school opened children chose which school to attend. Some went to Naka Elementary School. Others went to Kita Elementary School. Some children in the Hiraoka area went to Sumiredani Elementary School.
Most students graduating from Higashi Osaka Municipal Hiraoka Higashi Elementary School advance. They typically go to Higashi Osaka Municipal Hiraoka Junior High School. This school like others in Japan has a story. Education became widespread during the Edo period. Children aged 7 to 15 went to temple schools. They learned reading writing and abacus. Priests monks and samurai taught them.
Modern education in Japan was overhauled in the Meiji period. It was modeled after European systems. By 1908 education was compulsory for six years. After World War II schools became like American schools.
Today Higashi Osaka Municipal Hiraoka Higashi Elementary School continues to educate children. It prepares them for junior high and beyond.