Imagine being a student stepping through the gates of Seki Junior High School. What stories could these walls tell if they could talk?
Seki Junior High School stands as one of many junior high schools in Tokyo Metropolis. It resides in Nerima. The school is operated by the Nerima Ward. Its official address is 4-34-23 Sekimachikita Nerima-ku Tokyo.
But like many schools in Japan, Seki Junior High School is more than just a place of learning. It’s a microcosm of Japanese society reflecting values and traditions. Education has long been important in Japan. A public education system was established in the late 1800s. Today, 99 percent of Japanese people are literate.
Japanese schools do not depend on janitors to stay clean. Students clean every part of their school including the toilets. There is a dedicated cleaning time every day called souji. Some pupils wear bandannas. Some students sit in silence and meditate before cleaning starts. This teaches children how to live in society. It teaches them respect and healthy habits.
Every student at Seki Junior High School has the same schoolbag. Uniforms are the same for everyone. Students need to look similar and represent a unit. Rules are strict. Students cannot dye their hair or wear piercings.
For students in sports clubs, there are activities before and after class every day. Being part of a sports club is hard work. Members are often very tired and sleepy in class. Despite this, clubs are very popular. Japanese schools are old-fashioned. Pupils still use pen and paper most of the time. High-tech equipment is not always up-to-date. Classrooms often feel too hot or too cold.
Japan is one of the best countries for equality in education. The Japanese government spends little on its education system. Becoming a teacher in Japan is extremely difficult. Teachers work very hard and collaborate often. They focus on problem-solving rather than simply learning. Almost every student in Japan graduates from high school.
Japanese teachers do not send students out of the classroom. Everyone eats the same meal. Students cannot eat what they want in school. Meals are always healthy. Students are trained for everything even eating. Classrooms are not only for learning. Japanese students always stay with their classmates. There is no way for a Japanese student to fail a grade. Test scores still matter when it comes to entrance examinations.
Seki Junior High School like other junior high schools in Tokyo represents Japan’s commitment to education and community.